Tempera

A procedure for distemper painting whereby the which the binder is an emulsion of aqueous and oily substances. Pigments are, for example, mixed up with egg white or egg yolk. The white gives a transparent hue, while the yellow with its binding capacity gives it strength. The tempera paint is applied on a preparation of chalk. It dries quickly, hardens by oxidation and becomes insoluble. In a dry atmosphere it remains perfectly preserved.