Watercolor and Tempera

Watercolor & Tempera

Technical Considerations

Materials

• Watercolor uses transparent, water-soluble pigments.

• Tempera uses opaque pigments mixed with an egg or water-based binder.

• Use watercolor paper for watercolor and rigid surfaces like gessoed boards or thick paper for tempera.

Brushes

• Soft synthetic or natural-hair brushes work well for watercolor.

• Synthetic brushes with firm bristles are better for tempera application.

Layering Techniques

• Watercolor relies on transparent layers (glazing) for depth.

• Tempera allows for layering, but dry layers can crack if applied too thickly.

Cream Shaping (Incorporated Technique)

• Mix tempera with a thickening agent to create a cream-like texture.

• Apply shaped tempera with a palette knife for raised, textured effects.

• For watercolor, use a heavy-bodied water medium to replicate cream shaping.

Painting Process

• Watercolor requires wet-in-wet or wet-on-dry techniques for distinct effects.

• Tempera dries fast, so work in small areas and layer efficiently.

Supporting Materials

• Use masking fluid with watercolor to reserve white spaces.

• Gesso primer ensures tempera adheres well to non-paper surfaces.

Experimentation Ideas

• Combine watercolor’s transparency with tempera’s opacity in a single piece.

• Use cream shaping for raised designs in tempera areas.

• Explore resist techniques, like wax or tape, with watercolor.