Air Maneuvers 12" x 36"
The Basics
Egg tempera differs from all other paint in that it is actually hand made paint, mixed by the artist in preparation for the next few day's use. This may sound intimidating, but the process is actually quite simple: egg yolk and water are mixed in a roughly 50/50 blend, and are then mixed in with limited quantities of pure powder pigment, which produces the paint. Bearing in mind that all paint is created the same basic way (that is, powder pigment is mixed with a binding agent and thinning agent), the only difference between tempera and say, oil paint, is that the artist does the mixing him or her self. You can, of course, purchase the finished product at some artists supply sources, but color selection is limited, and making your own paint is actually quite enjoyable.
The paint is then applied to some sort of hard panel surface that has been prepared with traditional gesso composed of a mixture of animal skin glue and a white ground like gypsum or marble dust. If you wish to be a real traditionalist and make your own panels, do not use acrylic gessos. Acrylic is, basically, plastic, and the paint does not adhere well to such a surface. Pre-treated gesso panels are available from several sources, and quite acceptable.
One of the first things to realize about egg tempera paint is that, in spite of it's unique preparation, it is still just paint. The colors, for example, are still the same: cadmium red light is still cadmium red light, and cobalt colors are all the same as in oil or acrylic paints. Colors are still mixed on a palette and applied with a brush or even a palette knife. It is the handling and visual effects you can accomplish with it that make egg tempera unique.
Egg tempera differs from all other paint in that it is actually hand made paint, mixed by the artist in preparation for the next few day's use. This may sound intimidating, but the process is actually quite simple: egg yolk and water are mixed in a roughly 50/50 blend, and are then mixed in with limited quantities of pure powder pigment, which produces the paint. Bearing in mind that all paint is created the same basic way (that is, powder pigment is mixed with a binding agent and thinning agent), the only difference between tempera and say, oil paint, is that the artist does the mixing him or her self. You can, of course, purchase the finished product at some artists supply sources, but color selection is limited, and making your own paint is actually quite enjoyable.
The paint is then applied to some sort of hard panel surface that has been prepared with traditional gesso composed of a mixture of animal skin glue and a white ground like gypsum or marble dust. If you wish to be a real traditionalist and make your own panels, do not use acrylic gessos. Acrylic is, basically, plastic, and the paint does not adhere well to such a surface. Pre-treated gesso panels are available from several sources, and quite acceptable.
One of the first things to realize about egg tempera paint is that, in spite of it's unique preparation, it is still just paint. The colors, for example, are still the same: cadmium red light is still cadmium red light, and cobalt colors are all the same as in oil or acrylic paints. Colors are still mixed on a palette and applied with a brush or even a palette knife. It is the handling and visual effects you can accomplish with it that make egg tempera unique.
Why Egg Tempera
If you are a detail artist, and wish to capture delicate highlights of, for example, the bark of a tree or a picket fence, then this paint may be for you. The reason is that, because of the egg yolk binder, it dries almost immediately, and doesn't run or smear with the other colors leaving crisp, sharp brushstrokes that pick up the highlights of surfaces like no other paint. It is ideal for embellishing your painting with delicate detail, and creating illusions of depth and realistic textures. As in the sample I've created above, the brick of the fireplace is distinctive from the wood around it, and the highlights everywhere sparkle with natural light.
It is not a fast paint to work with, and doesn't work well for, say, impressionistic or expressionistic work. However, if you've ever admired the works of Andrew Wyeth, or wished to capture delicate highlights, interesting textures, or sharp, crisp imagery in your art, this paint is worth the investment of your time.
Try it and see
The fastest and least expensive way to see if this paint is for you is to take almost any water based paint from a tube and mix the egg yolk medium in with it to make the paint. True, you will have two different binders involved and the paint won't be quite as opaque as actual egg tempera, but the resultant paint will handle similar to the real thing, and will give you a good feeling for how you like to work with it.
Watercolor or gouache paints are recommended for this test. First separate egg yolk from the white without breaking the yolk sack. Then gently roll the yolk sack on a paper towel to sponge off a lot of the excess white, and then pierce the sack and allow the yolk to drain in an old cup or butter tub. Add water for a roughly 50/50 mixture. The resultant material is called the medium. Next, squeeze a very small amount of the chosen paint into a small well like in a watercolor palette and add the medium, also about 50/50. Stir well. The desired result should be a liquid about the consistency of a thick creme, perhaps a little thicker. If too thick, simply add more medium, and if too thin, add more pigment. There are no specific formulas, so don't look for them.
Use watercolor brushes to start. When applied, the paint should have a soft lustre to it, and it should brush on the surface evenly, not too streaky but also not thick like oil paint. It will dry in about 30 seconds to a minute.
Things to look for: Egg tempera is not meant to cover as heavily as oil or acrylic paint, and must be applied in several layers to get the desired evenness. There will be some streaky look to the first few layers, so be prepared. Also, be sure to brush it on with even, steady strokes and not a scrubbing motion, as that will loosen the bottom layers. Gently overlap one layer with another, and you will eventually get a rich, lustrous result.
Since the paint dries almost immediately, it is almost impossible to blend it on the panel, so don't try. To achieve a blended look, many layers of similar paint must be applied, and allow the eye to do the blending. A close examination will reveal the different color layers where they overlap, but skilled layering will make it a moot point. In fact, the subtle differences in value and hue will add richness to the painting.
The best results, of course are to start with powder pigment instead of another already created paint, but this test will be fun, and give you an idea of whether or not you wish to get more involved in egg tempera. My workshops are available to any prospective student wishing to learn more. The following link will take you to my website, if you wish to pursue more knowledge about egg tempera, or my artwork.
Artists Painting Workshops
It is not a fast paint to work with, and doesn't work well for, say, impressionistic or expressionistic work. However, if you've ever admired the works of Andrew Wyeth, or wished to capture delicate highlights, interesting textures, or sharp, crisp imagery in your art, this paint is worth the investment of your time.
Try it and see
The fastest and least expensive way to see if this paint is for you is to take almost any water based paint from a tube and mix the egg yolk medium in with it to make the paint. True, you will have two different binders involved and the paint won't be quite as opaque as actual egg tempera, but the resultant paint will handle similar to the real thing, and will give you a good feeling for how you like to work with it.
Watercolor or gouache paints are recommended for this test. First separate egg yolk from the white without breaking the yolk sack. Then gently roll the yolk sack on a paper towel to sponge off a lot of the excess white, and then pierce the sack and allow the yolk to drain in an old cup or butter tub. Add water for a roughly 50/50 mixture. The resultant material is called the medium. Next, squeeze a very small amount of the chosen paint into a small well like in a watercolor palette and add the medium, also about 50/50. Stir well. The desired result should be a liquid about the consistency of a thick creme, perhaps a little thicker. If too thick, simply add more medium, and if too thin, add more pigment. There are no specific formulas, so don't look for them.
Use watercolor brushes to start. When applied, the paint should have a soft lustre to it, and it should brush on the surface evenly, not too streaky but also not thick like oil paint. It will dry in about 30 seconds to a minute.
Things to look for: Egg tempera is not meant to cover as heavily as oil or acrylic paint, and must be applied in several layers to get the desired evenness. There will be some streaky look to the first few layers, so be prepared. Also, be sure to brush it on with even, steady strokes and not a scrubbing motion, as that will loosen the bottom layers. Gently overlap one layer with another, and you will eventually get a rich, lustrous result.
Since the paint dries almost immediately, it is almost impossible to blend it on the panel, so don't try. To achieve a blended look, many layers of similar paint must be applied, and allow the eye to do the blending. A close examination will reveal the different color layers where they overlap, but skilled layering will make it a moot point. In fact, the subtle differences in value and hue will add richness to the painting.
The best results, of course are to start with powder pigment instead of another already created paint, but this test will be fun, and give you an idea of whether or not you wish to get more involved in egg tempera. My workshops are available to any prospective student wishing to learn more. The following link will take you to my website, if you wish to pursue more knowledge about egg tempera, or my artwork.
Artists Painting Workshops
