MASTER CLASS TEMPERA VS. OTHER MEDIA

Watercolours paints are mostly transparent, while tempera, in fact, is not. The main advantage of tempera over watercolour is that it can completely cover the previous layer - even if you need to cover very dark paint with very light. The layers of the paint do not mix.

Tempera can be diluted with water to adjust viscosity without the need for solvents or mediums but has a similar consistency to oils. Tempera also dries more quickly than oils and can be transported and framed a couple of hours after finishing the painting session. Note that MASTER CLASS TEMPERA cannot be combined with oils, because the resulting mixture would ferment.

MASTER CLASS TEMPERA is made without requiring additives to make the paint opaque. In comparison, classic gouache contains kaolin to increase opacity. That is why tempera does not brighten when drying, as gouache does. Unlike classic gouache that can crack and peel away, tempera has a solid, elastic and water-resistant coating.

Designer gouache differs from the modern version of classic gouache by not containing any whitening filler, making it less opaque. Adding water to designer gouache will further reduce the opacity of the paint, making it less suitable for multi-layer painting techniques. MASTER CLASS TEMPERA, in comparison, is more opaque and can be easily layered. Once dry, MASTER CLASS TEMPERA will form a solid elastic, water-resistant coating whereas a gouache painting that has dried can be reactivated with water.