How to Make Watercolor Paint From Tempera Paint

Have you ever been in the middle of a watercolor project and realized you’re missing a specific color? Or maybe you’ve just been curious about making your own paint. Whatever the reason may be, learning how to make watercolor paint from tempera paint is a valuable skill for any artist to have.

But why bother with this process when you can simply buy watercolor paints from the store? First off, it’s more cost-effective as tempera paints are generally cheaper than watercolors. Secondly, many artists enjoy the challenge and satisfaction that comes with creating their own colors.

However, the process can seem daunting at first. How do you turn a thicker, opaque paint into something that’s transparent and fluid? Don’t worry – we’ll guide you through the steps and provide some helpful tips along the way. So let’s jump in and learn how to make your very own watercolor paint!

What is Tempera Paint and How Does it Differ from Watercolor Paint?

Tempera paint is a water-based paint that uses egg yolk as a binder. It has been used for centuries and was commonly used in the Middle Ages. This type of paint dries quickly and produces opaque colors. On the other hand, watercolor paint is also water-based but uses gum arabic as a binder instead of egg yolk. Watercolor paints are known for their transparency, quick drying time, and delicate colors.

The main difference between tempera and watercolor paints lies in the binding agent used. While tempera uses egg yolk, which makes it more opaque and slower to dry, watercolors use gum arabic which makes them more transparent and quick-drying. As a result, tempera paints are better suited for covering large areas with solid colors while watercolors are ideal for creating light washes of color.

Pros and Cons of Tempera Paint

Pros:
– Opaque colors
– Long-lasting
– Non-toxic
– Easy to clean up with soap and water

Cons:
– Dries quickly
– Can crack over time
– Not ideal for layering or blending

Pros and Cons of Watercolor Paint

Pros:
– Transparent colors
– Quick-drying time
– Ideal for layering and blending
– Can create delicate hues

Cons:
– Colors can fade over time
– Difficult to cover large areas with solid color
– Requires special paper to prevent bleeding

Why Make Watercolor Paint from Tempera Paint?

Making your own watercolor paint from tempera paint has several advantages. First, it allows you to customize your own palette of colors without having to buy new tubes or pans of paint. Secondly, homemade watercolors are more affordable than commercially produced watercolors. Lastly, you can control the consistency and transparency of your paint to suit your painting needs.

When making watercolor paint from tempera, you can also experiment with different types of binders such as honey or glycerin to achieve different effects. Homemade watercolor paints can also be stored in pans or tubes for future use.

Materials Needed to Make Watercolor Paint from Tempera Paint

To make watercolor paint from tempera paint, you will need the following materials:
– A palette
– Tempera paint
– Distilled water
– Glycerin or honey (optional)
– Dropper bottle (optional)
– Small containers or pans

Preparing Tempera Paint for Conversion into Watercolor Paint

Before converting tempera paint into watercolor paint, it is essential to prepare it properly. Start by squeezing a small amount of the tempera onto a palette and adding distilled water using a dropper or pipette. The amount of water added depends on how thick or thin you want your paint to be.

Next, mix the paint and water thoroughly until they are well combined. You may add more distilled water if needed until you reach your desired consistency. You may also add glycerin or honey at this point to improve the flow and give your homemade watercolors a glossy finish.

Finally, transfer the mixture into small containers or pans and leave them to dry overnight.

Steps to Turn Prepared Tempera Paint into Watercolor Paint

The following steps will guide you on how to turn prepared tempera paint into watercolor paint:
1. Wet your brush with clean water.
2. Dab it gently onto one of the homemade watercolors.
3. Mix the color on your brush with some additional clean water.
4. Use this mixture as you would regular store-bought pan or tube-based watercolors.

Tips and Tricks for Making the Best Watercolor Paint from Tempera

– Use distilled water to prevent contamination of your homemade watercolors
– Add glycerin or honey to improve the flow of your paint and give it a glossy finish.
– Experiment with different ratios of paint and water to achieve your desired consistency.
– Allow your homemade watercolors to dry overnight before using them.
– Store your homemade watercolors in tubes or pans for future use.

Comparing Homemade Watercolor to Commercially Produced Watercolors

Homemade watercolor paints can produce similar results as commercially produced ones. However, since you will be using tempera paint as the base, the colors may not be as transparent as those produced by gum arabic-based watercolors. Homemade watercolors may also have a shorter shelf life than store-bought ones.

However, homemade watercolors offer greater flexibility in terms of color customization and affordability. They are also fun to make and offer an opportunity for artists to experiment with different binders and additives.

Safety Precautions When Making Your Own Watercolor Paints

When making your own watercolor paints from tempera, it is essential to take safety precautions. Always work in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves if needed. Avoid inhaling the powder pigments when mixing them with water or other binders.

Additionally, ensure that all materials used are non-toxic and safe for use. Wash any tools or containers thoroughly before reuse. Finally, avoid ingesting or getting any paint into your eyes as this could cause serious health problems.

In conclusion, with a few simple steps, you can easily transform your tempera paint into watercolor paint and enjoy the unique effects that watercolors offer in your artwork.

Frequently Asked Questions about How to Make Watercolor Paint From Tempera Paint

Can I mix tempera paint with water?
Tempera paint is made with water as a base, which means that you can adjust its consistency by adding more water to make it smoother and easier to work with.

Is tempera paint the same as watercolor paint?
Watercolour paints are typically see-through, whereas tempera paints are not. The primary advantage of tempera over watercolour is that it can fully cover the previous layer, even if it is a dark colour being covered by a light one. Additionally, the layers of tempera paint do not blend together.

What can I use instead of watercolor paint?
To solve my problems with watercolor paint, I began using my acrylic paints in a similar way. By diluting them with water to create a transparent wash, acrylics can mimic the appearance of traditional watercolor paints.

How do you dilute tempera paint?
Before beginning your paint pouring, it is necessary to mix water and glue into the tempera paint, which makes it less thick and enables it to flow easily on the canvas. To prevent spills, it’s best to use easy squeeze bottles for children. The first color you add to the paint cup will probably be the most noticeable on your canvas.

What can I mix with tempera paint?
To create tempera paint, mix an equal amount of egg and water with dried tempera pigments. Gradually adjust the thickness of the paint by adding more egg and water mixture or powdered tempura mix as needed.

What liquid do you use to make watercolor paint?
To make watered-down liquid food coloring, simply add a few drops of food coloring to water. You can experiment with different color combinations by mixing different colors together, such as blue and green to make turquoise. This is a simple and easy process.