Egg tempera is one of the oldest and most fascinating painting techniques, used since ancient times for its ability to create luminous and lasting works. The particularity of this technique is the use of the egg as binder for pigments, which gives the colours a silky consistency and an opaque finish.
Egg Tempera: What is it an How to make it
What’s the Egg Tempera?
Egg tempera is a painting technique that uses the egg yolk as binder for pigments. This method was widely used in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, before the introduction of oil painting, and is known for its durability and ability to create luminescent painting surfaces. Works by artists such as Giotto and Botticelli were made with this technique, which gives the paintings a unique look, bright and durable over time.
How to make it?
- Prepare the materials
- Powder pigments: Use natural or mineral pigments, which must be finely ground and mixed with the binder.
- Fresh egg: Use only the yolk of the egg, as it is the part that will act as a binder.
- Water: Add a small amount of water to dilute the mixture and adjust its consistency.
- Prepare the binder
- Break an egg and separate the yolk from the egg white.
- Use only the yolk and remove the thin membrane surrounding it.
- Put the yolk in a small container and mix it with an equal amount of water (50% egg and 50% water). This is your binder.
- Mix the pigments
- On a palette, take a small amount of pigment powder.
- Add a few drops of binder (the mixture of yolk and water) and mix with a spatula or brush until you get a homogeneous paste.
- You can adjust the colour consistency by adding more binder to make it smoother or more pigment for greater coverage.
- Prepare the support
- Egg tempera is traditionally applied on rigid supports, such as wooden boards, which are prepared with a layer of plaster or acrylic chalk to seal and make the surface smooth.
- The application of chalk also helps to create a white base that enhances colours.
- Apply the colours
- Work in thin layers. The egg tempera dries quickly, so you’ll need to apply multiple layers to build depth and detail.
- Because is a thin layer technique, it allows to obtain soft colour transitions and a very bright colour rendering.
- Layer and define details
- One of the distinctive aspects of egg tempera is its ability to dry quickly, allowing you to work with precision on every single layer.
- Once a layer is dry, you can proceed to the next one by layering colours and defining details with thin brushes.
- Finishing
- Unlike oil painting, egg tempera does not require final paints, as its dry surface already has a natural shine.
- You can choose to leave the painting as it is or apply a light varnish to protect the work from damage over time.
Conclusion
The Egg tempera is a fascinating and ancient technique that requires precision and patience. It is particularly popular for its ability to create vivid colours, matte finishes and bright surfaces. Today it is rediscovered by contemporary artists who appreciate the quality and richness of this historic technique.
