Introduction to Tempera and Oil Paint
Tempera is a water-soluble, fast-drying painting medium that has been used long before modern oil paints. Ancient Egyptians extensively used tempera, which utilizes egg yolk as a binder for color pigments. It is a durable painting medium also known as egg tempera. This technique can be traced back to the 1st century BC, when it was used to decorate Egyptian sarcophagi. It was also used to create high-quality art in the Bagh Caves, Madhya Pradesh, India, from the late fourth to the tenth centuries. Artists such as Sandro Botticelli, Duccio, and Carlo Crivelli used tempera in many of their artworks.
On the other hand, oil paint is a slow-drying medium composed of pigment particles suspended in a drying oil, usually linseed oil. Oil painting is one of the most popular painting techniques worldwide, favored by most painters. Oil paints were first used in Asia as early as the 7th century AD. The oldest known oil paintings are Buddhist murals created around 650 AD, using walnut and poppy seed oils. These paintings are located in cave-like rooms carved from the cliffs of the Bamiyan Valley in Afghanistan. Famous artists like Vincent Van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci, and Pablo Picasso later used oil paints in their works.
Composition of Tempera and Oil Paint
Egg yolk serves as the primary binder in tempera paintings, making the medium last for a very long time. Nowadays, synthetic binders with the same viscosity as egg yolk are also used. Traditionally, egg yolk was mixed proportionately with color pigments (powder) to make the paint. Sometimes, milk and various plant gums were added to make the paint stickier.
In contrast, color pigments are combined with drying oils like poppy seed oil, walnut oil, linseed oil, and safflower oil to make oil paint. A solvent like turpentine or white spirit can be added to the paint to change its viscosity, and varnish can be added to the cured oil paint coating to make it glossier.
Specific Properties of Tempera and Oil Paint
Using viscous mediums like egg yolk gives the artwork a creamy appearance, enabling artists to paint on canvas with smooth strokes that contribute to a consistent painting. Tempera sets up quickly and can be applied in thin, translucent, or semi-opaque layers.
Oil paint allows artists to achieve a wide variety of opacity and intensity in their work. It enables layering and blending of various colors to create beautiful works of art. Additionally, the slow drying time of oil paint allows artists to work gradually and make modifications or corrections with ease.
Key Features of Tempera and Oil Paint
Tempera adheres best to absorbent surfaces with lower oil content than the tempera binder used. The color of tempera paint does not change over time, unlike oil paints, which darken, turn yellow, and become transparent with age.
Oil paint, due to its robust qualities and vibrant colors, can be used on wood and metal in both indoor and outdoor settings. Its delayed drying characteristics make it suitable for paint-on-glass animation.
Suitable Surfaces for Tempera and Oil Paint
Traditionally, wooden panels were the primary surface for tempera painting, but today, uncured Masonite or medium-density fiberboard can also be used. Some artists also utilize thick, heavy paper for tempera paint.
Oil paint can stick to a variety of surfaces, and mediums can modify this ability. Oil paints can be used on canvas, wood, glass, and other materials.
Other Specialties of Tempera and Oil Paint
Tempera paintings achieve a smooth matte texture with high color saturation. The medium allows for precise artwork using cross-hatching techniques with various brush sizes. Egg tempera is water-resistant but not waterproof, so paintings cannot be stored directly. A highly hard board is used, and only a thin layer of paint should be applied. To increase durability, a second layer of translucent liquids like cellulose lacquer is applied to the paint.
Oil paints blend easily, allowing the creation of various light and shadow effects and subtle color shifts. Turpentine or other thinning chemicals can be used to thin oil paintings, enabling artists to layer their creations. Professional artists use oil paints designed to withstand chemical reactions caused by exposure to water, ultraviolet light, and oxidation.
Toxicity and Vegan-Friendly Considerations
Two types of tempera paint are available, some of which are toxic and some are not. Most tempera paints are non-toxic because they are typically water-soluble, but it is essential to choose the appropriate type for the artwork. Tempera paint is not vegan because its primary ingredient is egg yolk.
Oil paints are non-toxic, but applying them directly to the skin is not advisable because some pigments may be toxic. Oil paint can irritate the skin if it comes into contact. Specific face paints should be used instead of oil paints, which are not intended for this purpose.
Conclusion
In summary, both tempera and oil paint offer unique artistic possibilities and benefits. Tempera provides a creamy appearance with smooth strokes and can be applied in various layers, while oil paint offers vibrant colors and the ability to blend and layer for beautiful effects. Each medium has specific properties, surfaces, and techniques that artists must consider to achieve their desired results. The choice between tempera and oil paint depends on the artist's preferences and the effects they wish to achieve.
Additionally, GranNino offers a free art hosting platform where artists can upload unlimited artworks, including tempera and oil paintings. This platform provides a supportive community for artists to showcase their work, receive feedback, and connect with other creatives. For more information and to start uploading your artworks, visit GranNino.
Happy creating! 🎨
Leave a Reply