Tempera vs Acrylic Paint: What's the Difference?

Tempera vs Acrylic Paint: What's the Difference? – ArtNouveauVision
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Tempera vs Acrylic Paint: What's the Difference?

Tempera vs Acrylic Paint: What's the Difference?

If you have read about the difference between acrylic paint and oil paint. Then, you may have noticed that tempera paints and acrylic paints have extremely similar properties. Most people can't tell the difference between tempera and acrylic paints.

Both painting mediums look and act very similar. They both create stunning works of art. Despite their similarities, there are some key differences that give them distinctive characteristics. Understanding these differences will help you make a more informed choice.

1. What Are Acrylics?

Acrylics were introduced in the 1950s. They are now one of the most popular types of pigment. These paints suspend pigments in an acrylic emulsion, which acts as a binder for the pigments.

Most acrylic paints use water as the medium. When the water evaporates, the colors left behind are layered on top of each other in the presence of the acrylic binder. The use of acrylic polymers makes acrylic paints water soluble and also more durable than tempera paints.

1.1 Advantages of Acrylic Paints

Because of its composition and water solubility, acrylic pigment has special properties. These advantages include the following:

  • Versatility: Acrylic paint can be mixed with other acrylic paints. In addition, it can be combined and mixed with acrylic pigment mediums and additives. This gives acrylics a distinctive character and allows you to create more stunning effects.
  • Vibrant Colors: Acrylics can be used with natural or synthetic pigments. Therefore, they are incredibly colorful. By mixing and blending, an almost infinite variety of shades and tones can be created.
  • It Can Be Used on Most Surfaces: Acrylic paints can adhere to any porous surface. This includes paper, cardboard, foam, leather, wood, concrete, and stone. Especially if properly prepped and primed.
  • Easy to Use: Acrylic paints are easier to use. You don't need to buy harmful or toxic chemicals to dilute acrylic paints.
  • Durable: Acrylics bond the pigments together after they dry. Therefore, acrylic paints retain their color for a longer period of time, even if they are not sealed with varnish.
  • Fast Drying: Since most acrylic paints are water-based. Therefore, they dry faster than other forms of pigments.

1.2 Disadvantages of Acrylic Paints

There is no such thing as a perfect item in the world, and the same is true for acrylic paints. The properties of acrylic paints make them pleasing to some painters but unsuitable for others. Acrylic paints have the following disadvantages:

  • Too Many Choices: Acrylic paints are available in almost every hue you can think of. Some painters may be overwhelmed by the number of color combinations.
  • Darkens When Dry: Most acrylic paints dry to a darker color. So be aware of this when using them.
  • Dries Quickly: Since acrylic paints dry quickly, you may need to limit the time you spend creating. This is especially true when creating on canvas, such as mixing. Additionally, acrylic paint dries quickly in a palette or brush, so it will need to be replenished or loaded frequently.
  • Not all Surfaces Are Suitable: Although acrylic paint adheres well to porous surfaces. However, non-porous materials (such as glass, metal, and some plastics) do not respond well to acrylics or any other pigments.
  • Difficult to Remove When Dry: Acrylic paint is easy to clean with soap and water when wet. However, when it dries, it is very difficult to remove.

2. What Are Tempera Paints?

The name “tempera” originally referred to a painting medium. In this medium, pigment is mixed with a water-soluble binder, such as egg yolk, to create a permanent, quick-drying work of art. These tempera paints were used as early as the third century and were eventually replaced by oil paints in the 15th century.

Today's tempera pigment (also known as “poster pigment”) is a distilled pigment. It binds the pigment with starch, cornstarch, cellulose, gum water, or other binders. This pigment usually comes in jars or bottles and is also available in powder form.

Like acrylics, tempera paints use water as a medium and usually dry within 5 to 10 minutes. The exact time depends on the thickness of the paint layer as well as the temperature and humidity of the surrounding environment.

2.1 Advantages of Tempera Paints

Egg tempera paints, like watercolors, are one of the oldest painting media known to painters. Today's poster pigments have a variety of properties that some artists find useful. They have the following advantages:

  • Water-based: Tempera paints are water-based. Therefore, their viscosity is easily changed with water. Moreover, they are easy to clean even after drying.
  • Safe and Odorless: Tempera paints are safe to use and odorless. This means that you can use them in small enclosed places such as bedrooms or cellars.
  • Variety of Options: Tempera paints come in a variety of shades, both in cans/bottles and in powder form. This opens up some fascinating creative possibilities.
  • Fast Drying: Since these pigments are water-based, they dry quickly and have a matte finish.
  • Affordable: Tempera paints are available in most art stores at prices to suit any budget.

2.2 Disadvantages of Tempera Paints

However, tempera paints also have some disadvantages that distinguish them from acrylic paints. These disadvantages include the following:

  • Requires a Porous Surface: Tempera paint is usually used on paper or cardboard because they require a porous surface. As a result, it can be used on Styrofoam, wood, stone, and concrete, but not on plastic, glass, fiberglass, or metal.
  • Poor Durability: Tempera paints usually have poor durability. Even when sealed with varnish, they can crack, flake, or peel over time.
  • Reactivated by Water: Although tempera paints are easier to clean and less likely to stain. However, they reactivate when exposed to water.
  • Easy to Mix Colors: Since tempera paints reactivate quickly when exposed to water. Therefore, when applying a new layer of tempera paint on top of the old one, it is easy to mix the colors.

3. What is the Difference between Acrylic Paint and Tempera Paint?

Now that you know more about acrylic paints and tempera paints, what is the difference between them? To make it easier to compare these two common painting mediums, consider the following factors:

3.1 Color Vividness and Opacity

Acrylic and tempera paints are not comparable in terms of color richness and opacity. This may be related to the way in which both pigments were developed.

As mentioned earlier, acrylic pigments consist of pigments dispersed in a polymer emulsion. This polymer emulsion holds the pigment particles together as the water dries, allowing acrylic pigments to retain their color and brightness over time.

Similarly, tempera paints are prepared by combining pigments with a water-soluble binder, such as starch or other binders. The binder, like acrylic paint, keeps the pigment in place after the water evaporates.

Once the pigments have dried, it is difficult to tell them apart. However, tempera paints dry flat and matte. Acrylic paints, on the other hand, leave a clean, glossy surface.

3.2 Mixing and Coloring

Acrylic paints are great for mixing and blending. Acrylic paints dry quickly and are, therefore, difficult to mix. However, you can use acrylic paint mediums or acrylic paint retarders to prolong its action.

In contrast, poster pigments are easily reactivated by water. This can lead to mixed shades rather than the desired mixing effect.

3. 3 Health and Safety Considerations

As long as the manufacturer's instructions are followed and health and safety are observed. Then, acrylic and tempera paints are generally safe to use.

For example, acrylic paints contain synthetic polymers that release toxic gases when heated or burned. Therefore, use acrylic paints away from open flames or heat sources.

On the other hand, tempera paint has the reputation of being “non-toxic”. However, it should not be used as face or body paint. If it comes into contact with the skin, it should be rinsed off with soap and water.

4. Summary

Tempera paints are as vibrant and opaque as acrylics. They dry faster and are less expensive than acrylics.

Acrylic paints are more versatile, easier to mix, and more durable. In addition, painting with acrylics produces a smoother result. Acrylic paints may be slightly more expensive. But for the performance of the paints, the price you pay is worth it.

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