Tempera

The technique of painting with pigments bound in a water-soluble emulsion, such as water and egg yolk, or an oil-in-water emulsion such as oil and a whole egg

Meredith Frampton, ‘Nude with Flying Swans’ 1919 — Meredith Frampton
*Nude with Flying Swans* 1919
Tate
© Tate

William Blake, ‘The Ghost of a Flea’ c.1819–20 — William Blake
*The Ghost of a Flea* c.1819–20
Tate

John Armstrong, ‘Dreaming Head’ 1938 — John Armstrong
*Dreaming Head* 1938
Tate
© Tate

Some tempera paints are made with an artificial emulsion using gum or glue. Traditionally applied to a rigid support such as a wood panel, the paint dries to a hard film.

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Tempera

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