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DictionarytemperaPainting medium
noun

tempera

TEM-per-uh/ˈtempərə/

Paint prepared with a water-soluble binder.

The mixing dish holds tempera prepared from pigment, egg yolk, and water.

A close tabletop view of egg tempera preparation: dry ochre pigment, separated egg yolk, and water surround a mixing dish of smooth golden paint, with a brush and a freshly painted swatch showing the result.
Etymology
temperaItalianmix colors

Italian temperare means to mix colors. Tempera names paint through its preparation: pigment is mixed with a binder to produce a usable painting material.

In context

The National Gallery0:15
Pigments mixed with egg yolk, to make egg tempera paint, will have a flatter, matt appearance.
Making the Colour Green: Egg Tempera versus Oil | National Gallery

More examples

  • The children use tempera to decorate their cardboard masks.
  • Traditional egg tempera contains pigment mixed with egg yolk.
  • The gallery displays two temperas painted on wooden panels.

Forms

tempera · temperas

Similar words

watercolor
Watercolor usually produces transparent washes rather than tempera’s opaque coverage.
gouache
Gouache is opaque watercolor, typically bound with gum arabic.