Egg tempera is created by adding pigment to which binder, and what drying characteristic does it have?

• A. Egg white binder; dries slowly.
• B. Linseed oil binder; dries slowly.
• C. Gelatin binder; dries moderate.
• D. Egg yolk binder; dries quickly in thin layers.

Answer: (D)

Egg tempera uses egg yolk as the binder. The yolk creates a thin, water-based emulsion that binds pigment into a smooth film. When applied in thin layers, the water evaporates quickly, so the surface sets rapidly. This fast drying in fine layers lets artists build detailed, precise work. In contrast, binders like linseed oil dry slowly through oxidation, and egg white wouldn’t provide a durable film, while gelatin behaves differently as a binder.