Introduction to Tempera and Spray Paint
Tempera is a water-soluble painting medium made by mixing color pigments with egg yolk. It resembles some characteristics of both water and oil due to the use of organic protein (egg yolk) and its water-based nature. Also known as egg tempera, this painting technique can be traced back to the 1st century BC, when it was used to decorate Egyptian sarcophagi. Tempera was used to create high-quality art in the Bagh Caves, Madhya Pradesh, India, from the late fourth to the tenth centuries. Artists like Sandro Botticelli, Duccio, and Carlo Crivelli used tempera in most of their artworks.
On the other hand, spray painting is a quick-drying technique used to apply coating materials like paint, ink, and varnish to surfaces. While tempera is more durable than spray painting, spray paint lasts longer than some other painting media. Spray painting is a modern technique that was utilized on the South Pacific Railroad in the early 1880s. Notable spray painting artists include Banksy, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Shepard Fairey. In 1949, Edward Seymour invented spray paint that could be applied using compressed air in a can.
Composition of Tempera and Spray Paint
Egg yolk is the primary binder for tempera paint, which is why it is also called egg tempera. Nowadays, synthetic binders with similar viscosity to egg yolk are also used. Traditionally, egg yolk was mixed with powdered color pigments to make the paint, sometimes with milk and plant gums to make it stickier.
Spray paint, on the other hand, is made of oil-based color pigments and volatile hydrocarbons like propane, n-butane, and isobutane. Compressed aerosol spray paint cans, usually made of aluminum, are common. Spray paint is water-resistant and waterproof due to its oil-based composition.
Specific Properties of Tempera and Spray Paint
Tempera is water-soluble and has excellent water resistance but is not waterproof. Using egg yolk makes the paint creamy, allowing artists to create smooth strokes and uniform paintings. Tempera can be applied in thin, semi-opaque, or transparent layers.
Spray paint, being oil-based and made of volatile hydrocarbons, is waterproof and not soluble in water. When sprayed, the water in the paint evaporates immediately, leaving a flexible acrylic layer. The color is permanent and stable, allowing artists to repaint without bleeding and create a laminated surface effect.
Key Features of Tempera and Spray Paint
Spray brushes, spray cans, spray booths, and spray guns are used to apply spray paint. It dries faster than traditional brush paints and works well on non-porous materials like poster board, wood, glass, and metal for both indoor and outdoor applications. Graffiti artists use spray paint to create street art and graffiti on buildings, trains, and other structures. Oil-based spray paints are excellent for rust-proofing metal surfaces.
Suitable Surfaces for Tempera and Spray Paint
Spray paint can be easily applied to a variety of surfaces since it comes out as a mist. Traditionally, spray painting has been used on billboards and other non-porous surfaces like wood, metal, glass, ceramic, stone, and plastic.
Other Specialties of Tempera and Spray Paint
Spray painting is excellent for creating multi-layered artworks due to its fast drying time. It is useful for short painting projects and can be used on pre-shaped frames. Spray painting is a type of graffiti art.
Toxicity and Vegan-Friendly Considerations
There are two types of tempera paint: some are toxic, while others are not. Most tempera paints are non-toxic because they are water-soluble, but it is important to choose the appropriate type for the artwork. Tempera paint is not vegan due to its primary ingredient, egg yolk.
Spray paint is a toxic painting medium and should be used in open spaces or well-ventilated environments. It contains volatile hydrocarbons, increasing the risk of cache fires and being harmful to breathe. Cleaning requires mineral spirits due to its oil-based nature. Petrochemicals and synthetic materials make spray paints vegan-friendly.
Conclusion
In summary, both tempera and spray paint offer unique artistic possibilities and benefits. Tempera provides creamy, smooth strokes and can be applied in various layers, while spray paint offers fast drying times and versatility on different surfaces. Each medium has specific properties, surfaces, and techniques that artists must consider to achieve their desired results. The choice between tempera and spray 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 spray 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! 🎨
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