Paint Type

Traditional Tempera

Traditional tempera is an artist paint made by combining pigment with an emulsion binder. Egg yolk is the best-known traditional binder, but the broader tempera category can include other emulsion recipes, so a museum record that says only “tempera” does not always identify the exact binder.

Traditional tempera compatibility

Traditional tempera is generally associated with stable, rigid supports prepared with an absorbent ground, although the exact preparation depends on the binder and recipe.

Surface	Compatibility	Preparation	Primer or ground	Finish	Guide
Painting Board	Excellent when rigid and prepared for the selected tempera recipe	Use a clean, stable, rigid board and prepare it for the chosen binder and technique.	Use a smooth absorbent ground compatible with the tempera recipe.	Build controlled layers and allow the painting to dry and mature before any optional protective treatment.	—
Wood Panel	Excellent with suitable preparation	Use a dry, stable panel and prepare it to receive an even absorbent ground.	Traditional gesso or another ground compatible with the selected tempera binder.	Keep the paint film relatively thin and avoid unnecessary flexing of the support.	—

Sources: Getty Art & Architecture Thesaurus: Tempera, National Gallery: Tempera, and National Gallery: Egg Tempera.

Famous painters

Explore painters in the PaintZeal reference whose documented materials include tempera without requiring an egg-tempera assumption.