Tempera, or poster paint, is a popular art medium. If you love to paint or create art, you’ve likely used tempera at some point! It has plenty of uses, but you’ll want to know if it has any hazards you should be aware of.
So, is tempera paint flammable? Tempera paint is non-flammable, although you still won’t want to expose it to flames. It doesn’t release fumes either, so you won’t need to wear protective gear when working with it. Most tempera paints are also non-toxic, making them an excellent option for young kids.
So, if you want to work with safe, non-flammable paint, tempera is one of the best options available. It’s easy to use, dries fast, and won’t stain. If you’re looking to learn more about tempera paints, keep reading!
What Is Tempera Paint?
Tempera paint, also often referred to as poster paint, is water-based paint. Most tempera paints are non-toxic as well. It’s straightforward to clean up with just soap and warm water, making it a popular learning tool in schools.
Tempera paint consists of water, cellulose, starch, and calcium carbonate. These ingredients bind with the pigments so that you can find this paint in plenty of vibrant colors!
My favorite and top pick is always Arteza Tempera Paints. They have so many different colors, and the quality is amazing! I usually use Arteza Paints for all my projects.
You can buy tempera paint premade in a tube. You can also find it in concentrated powder forms. To get the color in a usable condition, you mix in some distilled water and occasionally an egg. The powder paints are fun to use and work just as great as the premade options!
Overall, tempera paint is an excellent art medium. Many kids use it since it’s easy to clean. However, plenty of adult artists use it in their work as well! You’re sure to find a use for it.
Is Tempera Paint Hazardous?
Tempera paints are some of the least dangerous paints you can find on the market today- it’s not hazardous at all. The paint is non-toxic and doesn’t contain any allergens, allowing everyone to use it!
You’ll still want to keep an eye on young children as they paint. Even though it’s non-toxic, you still won’t want them to eat it!
Tempera paint is even environmentally friendly. Creating it doesn’t impact the environment much since it doesn’t require a lot of power or materials to produce.
Lastly, tempera paint is way less hazardous than oil paint! If you were to swallow oil paint, you’d ingest a lot of lead, which can be dangerous. However, tempera paint doesn’t contain lead, making it safer.
Is Tempera Paint Heat Resistant?
Tempera paint isn’t heat resistant. It’s not a very durable type of paint at all! It can easily melt or burn if it comes into contact with high heat levels.
This paint also won’t last long in the sun. It can fade quickly, and the heat from a hot day might damage it. If you’re looking for heat-resistant paint, you’ll want to choose something else! There are many other long-lasting options out there.
Even if it’s non-flammable, you shouldn’t put tempera paints near an open flame or intense heat source. You can still start a fire by accident.
Is Tempera Paint Toxic?
A majority of tempera paint brands produce non-toxic pigments. You’d have difficulty finding a bottle of toxic tempera paint on the market today. These paints don’t contain lead or other metals, so they’re very safe.
Since it’s non-toxic, many schools will use it as finger paint for kids. It’s safe for it to touch skin and is easy to remove.
Overall, tempera paints are some of the least toxic paints that you can find today. They’re less toxic than acrylics and oils! Plus, if you get tempera on you, you can simply wipe it off with just water. That way, your skin doesn’t have time to absorb it.
What Surfaces Can You Use Tempera Paint On?
You can use tempera paint on tons of surfaces! For example, you can use it on paper, poster board, fabrics, wood, poster, canvas, and more. You can even paint on glass with it, although it won’t be permanent.
If you’re interested in tempera paint, you have plenty of options of what you can paint on! This benefit makes it suitable for various art projects and crafts.
Tempera paint may not stick as well to some surfaces. However, it’s a great temporary option! Many stores and restaurants use tempera paint on their windows. If you want to decorate glass at home, tempera paint is perfect.
How Do You Seal Tempera Paint?
Tempera paint isn’t a durable option. You’ll want to make sure you seal your work with a water-based varnish. Otherwise, it will fade or chip easily.
First, wait for the tempera to dry completely. Tempera paint tends to dry fast, so you won’t have to wait very long. Next, add your sealant! How you apply the varnish depends on what type of sealant it happens to be.
You’ll want to apply a thin, even coat in long strokes for brush-on sealants. Leave it somewhere; it won’t be disturbed for a few hours. Then, you might want to add a second coat of varnish. Mod Podge is a great option for a brush on sealer.
You also can use a spray-on sealant. Make sure not to hold the aerosol can too close to the project or you risk blasting it with the varnish! Instead, hold it at least a foot away and lightly coat the paint. Allow it to dry, then make sure you add another layer later.
I like to use Krylon Acrylic Sealer to seal my tempera paint projects. It’s dries very quickly and prevents the paint from flaking or chipping.
Overall, you can apply a sealant to your tempera paints just like you would with other kinds of paint. It won’t take long to finish adding the sealant, and you’ll get a longer-lasting painting!
Final Thoughts
In short, tempera paint is non-flammable, non-toxic, and not hazardous! It’s one of the safest paints available to use. Young children can use it without worry, unlike with oil paints.
You’ll still want to keep it away from open flame to avoid any mishaps. Tempera also has plenty of uses and can stick to many different surfaces. Because of all these features, it’s a great medium that you can use on various projects.
Make sure to follow all my tips and recommended products to ensure your tempera painted project turns out great! Also, don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your painting Q&A’s. Happy painting!