noun
distemper; powdered paint; colour wash
Refers to a type of paint made from powdered pigments mixed with a binder such as glue or size, used in traditional Japanese painting and decorative work. The English glosses 'distemper' and 'colour wash' describe similar techniques, but the Japanese term is specifically associated with traditional materials.
日本画では泥絵の具がよく使われる。
In Japanese-style painting, distemper (powdered pigments) is often used.
この壁画は泥絵の具で描かれている。
This mural is painted with distemper.
Compound of 泥 (どろ, 'mud') + 絵の具 (えのぐ, 'paint'). The 泥 here refers to the paste-like consistency of the prepared paint, not literal mud.