Have you ever tried using egg tempera paint for your art? Since it is not one that we hear about a lot, do you even know what it is or how it is used?
Egg paint has been around for many centuries. It was the paint of choice for artists until the invention of oil paints in the 1500s.
Today we are going to talk about egg tempera paint, what it is, its history, how to use it, and even how to make your own egg tempera paint. I think you are really going to enjoy this post, so let’s jump right into learning all about egg tempera paint.
The History of Egg Tempera Paint
Egg tempera has been around for many centuries. The earliest recording of using this paint goes way back to ancient Greece and Rome, between the 1st century and the 4th century BC.
Egg tempera paint is a mixture of egg yolk and pigments. Some of these pigments contained dangerous heavy metals, such as lead, arsenic, and mercury.
During the rise of Christianity in the Medieval era, this paint was often used by artists who painted religious icons. Even after oil paints became popular there were still many artists who preferred to use egg tempera paint. Some artists used it for underpainting when they were working with oil paints.
When oil paints became more popular and more widely used, egg tempera paint started to get pushed aside. This led to many artists creating a guild that would preserve the knowledge about painting with egg tempera paints.
Early in the 20th century, egg tempera paints started to get popular once again. In 1901, The Society of Painters in Tempera was formed. Throughout the 20th century egg tempera paint continued to grow in popularity, leading to the 1997 formation of the Society of Tempera Painters.
The Pros and Cons of Using Egg Tempera Paints
As with any type of paint, tempera paint has its good points and its bad points. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of egg paints.
Pros
- Egg paints are water-based.
- Egg tempera paints dry quickly.
- These paints are non-toxic, depending on the pigments used.
- They provide a permanent finish.
- They do not discolor over time.
- You don’t need to use any thinners or solvents.
- They can withstand changes in temperature and humidity.
- The colors actually look better with time.
Cons
- Egg tempera paint can only be used on hard surfaces, such as wood panels.
- A lot of work goes into priming a surface to use with these paints.
- You must paint in very thin coats.
- Each layer of paint needs curing time.
- It is difficult to blend tempera paint colors.
Painting with Egg Tempera Paints
There are a few steps involved in painting with egg tempera paints.
#1. Prepare the Chalk Gesso
When painting with egg tempera paints, the first thing you need to do is prepare the chalk gesso. You will need to prepare the rabbit skin glue by soaking the granules in water overnight.
Use equal amounts of titanium dioxide pigment and chalk filler to make this chalk gesso, which is thicker than regular gesso.
You will then need to heat the glue mixture in a double boiler without letting it come to a boil. The glue is then mixed with the dry ingredients and stirred slowly to not create bubbles.
Chalk gesso must be warm to be used. Keep it in a hot water bath, and if the water gets cold you can re-warm it to activate it again.
#2. Prime the Wood Panel
The next step in the process is to prime the wood panel you will be painting on. Dip a brush into the chalk gesso and paint a smooth coat onto the panel. You will need two to three coats, and each coat needs to dry for a full day before you can apply the next one.
Each coat of chalk gesso should be applied in different directions. Once you have applied the chalk gesso and the final layer is dry, sand it down to a smooth surface.
#3. Prepare the Egg Tempera Paint
Now we get to the fun part, which is making your own tempera paint using the recipe I will provide later in this post.
#4. Create Your Sketch
Draw your sketch on the wood panel with a charcoal pencil or a graphite pencil. India Ink can also be used with a fine brush for creating the initial sketch.
#5. Add a Verdaccio Underpainting
Mix small amounts of black and red earth pigment with egg emulsion. This creates a neutral shade of brown. You can also mix red, yellow, and blue to create an olive-green shade. Use the amount required to make sure that the underpainting doesn’t affect the shading.
#6. Start Painting
There are three stages in painting with egg tempera: first, second, and finishing stages. The first stage is all about creating and adjusting tonal values. You will need to use hatching and cross-hatching techniques for the verdaccion underpainting. I recommend using a wide brush for this.
The second stage involves using a smaller brush. You will be painting over the first layer. Keep hatching and cross-hatching until you get the effect you are trying to achieve. Allow this layer to dry and then add another layer to intensify the colors.
The finishing stage is where you add pure colors. This is going to make your painting really pop! Do not use any whites, as these are used in the first two layers. Details can be added with a fine brush. Be sure to define any outlines and darken shadows.
#7. Varnishing
It will take at least a year for a painting done with egg tempera paints to fully cure. Once it is cured, you can add a coat of varnish. You can use matte varnish or wax varnish, depending on the type of finish you want.
Make Your Own Egg Tempera Paints
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- Water
- Pigments
- Mortar and pestle
- Paper
- Paintbrush
- Teaspoon
- Palette
Directions
- Look around your home for pigments. You can use spices such as turmeric and paprika, or even grind up some blush or eyeshadow. Chalks will also work. If you use chalk, you will need to grind it with the mortar and pestle so it becomes a fine powder. Add the pigments to a paint palette.
- Crack an egg and separate the yolk. You must be careful to make sure that you get rid of any excess egg white. You may need to wipe it away with a paper towel. Pinch the egg yolk sac, and allow the yolk to dribble into a dish. Throw away the sac.
- Add five teaspoons of water and mix with the egg yolk. You can also add a few drops of white vinegar. This will help to keep the paint fresher.
- Spoon some of the egg and water mixture into the powdered pigment. Mix well. The mixture should ultimately have the consistency of heavy cream. Only make small amounts at a time because this paint dries quickly.
Conclusion
Now that you know all about egg tempera paints and how to make your own, it’s time to have fun painting with these paints that you make yourself. When your project is finished, you can be proud of the fact that not only did you create the art, but you also created the paint for it.
Sari Green is a semi-professional artist and professional writer. She has been hosting paint & sip parties for the past couple of years, and truly enjoys helping other people to create their very own masterpieces. She loves to create, and you never know what she’s going to come up with next!