In India, distemper wall paint is a popular and economical choice for interiors. The Metropolitan Museum of New York has a collection of Tibetan and Nepalese works in distemper on cloth or wood. As distemper on canvas or paper is less age resistant, there are few surviving examples. Distemper Paint in Asiaĭistemper has been used extensively in Asian painting traditions, especially in Tibet. It's also somewhat common in theatrical presentations and other short-term applications. The exceptions are instances of historic and period-authentic structures, where distempered surfaces continue to be maintained. Though it saw continual use from ancient Egyptian times to the end of the 19th century, the advent of oil- and latex-based house paints have rendered distemper obsolete. It has almost never been used for fine art paintings. Due to this, it was also used for posters and scenic backdrops on the stage. In regions that seldom, if ever, see rain, it can be used outside.ĭistemper is much less expensive than oil-based paints. Because it's not waterproof, it has most often been used on interior surfaces. It has been used since antiquity for painting walls and other types of house decoration. As a decorative paint, it is easily marked and cannot get wet. The Uses of Distemperĭistemper is an early form of whitewash. Historically, distemper has been a popular interior paint for homes. For this reason, it is used more often for temporary or inexpensive projects rather than fine art. The primary problem with distemper paint is that it is not durable. It is bound with either an animal glue or the adhesive qualities of casein, a resin that comes from solidified milk. Distemper paint is an ancient type of paint made of water, chalk, and pigment.