Crossword Genius

Paint — moderate source of art? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tempera

'paint' is the definition.
(type of paint)

'moderate source of art?' is the wordplay.
'moderate' becomes 'temper' (synonyms).
'source of art?' becomes 'a' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'temper'+'a'='TEMPERA'

(Other definitions for tempera that I've seen before include "Method of drawing" , "Artist's medium" , "A paint and a painting technique" , "Means of painting - pet mare (anag)" , "Emulsion used by Renaissance painters" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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