Introduction to Tempera and Watercolor
Tempera is a long-lasting painting medium composed of colored pigments and a water-soluble binding medium, typically a viscous fluid such as egg yolk. Known as egg tempera, this fast-drying painting material was used long before modern oil paints. It 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 many of their artworks.
On the other hand, watercolor painting is a popular method that produces beautiful artworks using water-soluble color inks. Watercolor paintings are very ancient, likely originating from Europe's Paleolithic Age. Its history as an artistic medium stretches back to the Renaissance, around the 15th century. Albrecht Dürer, a Northern German Renaissance painter known for his stunning watercolors of flowers, animals, and landscapes, is considered one of the founding fathers of watercolor painting. Hans Bol founded an influential watercolor painting school in Germany during the Dürer Renaissance.
Composition of Tempera and Watercolor
Tempera paintings are very long-lasting, with egg yolk serving as the primary binder. 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.
Watercolor paints are made up of four major ingredients: glycerin, bovine bile, honey, and preservatives, which vary the viscosity, concealing power, stability, or color of the pigment carrier mixture. Water evaporates as a solvent to reduce the paint's thickness before application.
Specific Properties of Tempera and Watercolor
Using viscous fluids like egg yolk makes tempera art creamy, allowing artists to create smooth strokes on canvas and achieve uniform paintings. Tempera dries rapidly and can be applied in thin, semi-opaque, or transparent layers.
Watercolors are made up of pigments and binders that are water-soluble. Artists can use watercolors to produce unique paintings that creatively express their imagination. One of the most appealing features of watercolor is the ability to achieve transparency and shine by adding layers.
Key Features of Tempera and Watercolor
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.
Watercolor is considered an "aqueous medium," employing water as a solvent and can be applied with a brush, pen, or spray. Most inks, watercolor, casein, gouache, and contemporary acrylics fall under this category.
Suitable Surfaces for Tempera and Watercolor
Traditionally, wooden panels were the primary surface for tempera painting, but today, uncured Masonite or medium-density fiberboard can also be used. Some artists use thick, heavy paper for tempera paint.
Watercolor paper is the most common and traditional carrier medium (the surface on which the paint is applied) for watercolors. Other supportive mediums include papyrus, bark, plastic, parchment, leather, fabric, wood, and watercolor canvas (coated with gesso specially developed for watercolors).
Other Specialties of Tempera and Watercolor
Tempera painting produces a smooth matte finish with higher color saturation. It can be used for more precise artworks by enabling cross-hatching techniques with various brush sizes. Egg tempera is water-resistant but not waterproof, so paintings cannot be stored directly. A rigid board is used, and the paint should be applied in a very thin layer. To make the paint more durable over time, an extra layer of transparent fluids like cellulose lacquer is coated on it.
Tube and pan watercolors are the two types of commercial watercolors available today. Tube paints have a viscosity comparable to toothpaste and must be diluted with water before use. Pan paints come in two sizes: whole pans and half pans. Watercolor paint is generally safe when it comes into contact with skin, but those with sensitive skin or allergies should read the ingredients before purchasing.
Toxicity and Vegan-Friendly Considerations
There are two types of tempera paint, some of which are toxic and others are not. Most tempera paints are non-toxic because they are 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.
Watercolor paint is generally considered safe when it comes into contact with skin. However, sensitive skin or allergies may cause irritation or rashes. Always read the ingredients before purchasing watercolor paints. Watercolor uses synthetic binders, making almost all watercolors vegan-friendly.
Conclusion
In summary, both tempera and watercolor offer unique artistic possibilities and benefits. Tempera provides a creamy texture with smooth strokes and high color saturation, while watercolor offers transparency and shine with the ability to layer. Each medium has specific properties, surfaces, and techniques that artists must consider to achieve their desired results. The choice between tempera and watercolor 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 watercolor 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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