Marcus Chen
Egg tempera is a paint mixture that dries quickly and is perfect for underpainting. It is made by mixing egg yolk with powdered pigments and a little water. Traditionally, it was applied to rigid surfaces like wooden panels, coated with a primer called gesso. The ground traditionally used is inflexible Italian gesso, and the substrate is usually rigid as well. The surface is prepared with many coats of genuine gesso ground, which is absorbent and creates a bond between the paint and the ground. For the ground, you could use clayboard or purchase traditionally prepared boards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Surface | Absorbent, rigid, inflexible |
| Material | Wood, gesso, clayboard, paper, canvas |
| Preparation | Gesso ground, rabbit skin glue, chalk, sanded |
| Application | Thin layers, small strokes, cross-hatching |
| Advantages | Long-lasting, water-resistant, luminous |
| Disadvantages | Quick-drying, not flexible, not suitable for canvas |
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Clayboard
The absorbency of the surface is important for egg tempera as the egg needs to soak into the ground to adhere correctly. Claybord™ is applied to Ampersand's True Artist's Hardbord™, which provides the rigidity to reduce concerns of the paint film cracking as it ages. When using Claybord™, it is important to lay down the first layers of paint carefully and ensure that each layer is dry before beginning any detail work.
While Claybord™ is a convenient alternative to preparing panels from scratch, some artists have reported issues with adhesion and flaking of paint when using egg tempera on this surface. One possible explanation for this issue is the use of a frisket film adhesive for stenciling, which can reduce the absorbency of the Claybord™ and cause the paint to dislodge.
To avoid adhesion issues, it is important to remove all the egg white from the yolk before adding water and to avoid applying the paint too thickly, as thicker layers take longer to dry and can lift from the surface. Additionally, ensuring proper ventilation during the painting process can help prevent the formation of air bubbles, which can also contribute to adhesion problems.
Overall, Claybord™ can be a suitable ground for egg tempera, providing a smooth and absorbent surface that is similar to traditional gesso grounds. However, it is important to carefully follow the recommended techniques for applying egg tempera to this surface to avoid potential issues with paint adhesion and flaking.
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Wood panels
Historically, artists would have carpenters make wooden panels from oak or poplar wood. The carpenter would glue narrow boards together to make the desired panel width. Sometimes linen was glued to the surface. Over time, atmospheric changes would cause the wood to contract and expand, creating small cracks in the painting. In 1924, William Mason invented a stable hardboard wood product available in large sheets, which was named Masonite. This became the generic name for hardboard. In the mid-century, hardboard was "tempered" (dipped in linseed oil), which caused adhesive problems for artists. Untempered hardboard is still available on the market and is used by some artists.
Egg tempera paint is not suitable for use on canvas because it is less flexible than oil or acrylics once dry.
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Untempered hardboard
Historically, artists used wooden panels made from oak or poplar wood for egg tempera paintings. The carpenter glued narrow boards together to make the desired panel width. Sometimes linen was glued to the surface. Over time, atmospheric changes would cause the wood to contract and expand, creating small cracks in the painting. In 1924, William Mason invented a stable hardboard wood product available in large sheets. It was named Masonite, and artists soon adapted it. The generic name for hardboard became known as masonite. In mid-century, hardboard was "tempered" (dipped in linseed oil), which caused adhesive problems for artists.
Today, with fluctuating indoor humidity levels due to air conditioning and central heating, untempered hardboard is a more suitable option for egg tempera paintings than wood. Soft woods such as birch and poplar can still be used as the carrier for egg tempera, but they are less convenient than untempered hardboard. Hardboard is sold in large sheets and must be marked and cut to the desired shape and size. It is also possible to construct panels from multiple pieces of board, hinged together into traditional religious diptychs and triptychs.
Before painting with egg tempera on untempered hardboard, the surface must be prepared with a traditional rabbit skin sizing, which is bought in powdered form and heated with water. After this, a traditional gesso coating must be applied. It is important to avoid air bubbles while brushing on the gesso and to sand the surface between layers. If the hardboard panel is large, it should be cradled (mounted on a wooden supportive frame) first.
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Rigid, absorbent paper
Egg tempera paint is a historic medium that remains popular for fine art, restoration, and icon painting. It is made from pigment, egg yolk, and distilled water. Some artists also use white wine vinegar or a mixture of water and alcohol. The binding agent for egg tempera is egg yolk, a natural emulsion that imparts a slightly glossy sheen to the paint. The paint can be diluted with water to form a thinner consistency.
If paper is used as a ground for egg tempera, it should be thick (at least 300 gsm) watercolor paper, preferably backed with board or cardboard. The thicker paper is rigid and absorbent, which are ideal characteristics for a ground for egg tempera. The paint dries very quickly after it has been applied (in a matter of seconds), so colors cannot be blended on the support as they can with other painting techniques. Instead, tones and colors are built up with thin glazes or hatched strokes, and repeated layers of translucent color can create a luminous quality.
When using rigid and absorbent paper as a ground for egg tempera, it is important to test the paint on a scrap piece of paper before beginning your artwork. This will allow you to get a feel for how the paint behaves on the paper and how the colors mix. It is also recommended to sketch out your composition in pencil before applying paint. This will help you plan out your colors and composition before committing to the paint, which dries very quickly.
In addition to paper, other rigid supports can be used for egg tempera, such as wooden panels or boards. These surfaces should be prepared with an absorbent ground, such as genuine gesso or claybord. Acrylic gesso is not absorbent enough for egg tempera. The ideal ground for egg tempera is absorbent and rigid, allowing the paint to bond with the surface and creating a durable and long-lasting artwork.
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Gessoed panels
The next step is to make the gesso. Traditional gesso for egg tempera needs to be applied to a rigid support, or the egg tempera will crack if the canvas is flexed. You can glue linen to a board. Gessoed panels can be purchased pre-made, but some artists prefer to make their own. One recipe for gesso includes glue, marble dust, and pigment.
Egg tempera paint dries very quickly after it has been applied, so colours cannot be blended as they can with other painting techniques. Tones and colours are built up with thin glazes or hatched strokes, and repeated layers of translucent colour can create a luminous quality.
Egg tempera paint is perfect as an underpainting for oil painters or for artists seeking a highly pigmented, professional alternative to oil paints and solvents. The pigments are bound with a centuries-old egg emulsion recipe, giving a satin-matte finish that is water-resistant when dry.
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Frequently asked questions
The preferred ground for egg tempera paint is a rigid, absorbent surface such as a wooden panel, coated with a special primer called gesso.
Gesso is a traditional primer made from rabbit skin glue and whiting, which is applied to the wooden panel to create an absorbent ground for the egg tempera paint to adhere to.
Poplar is the most commonly used wood for egg tempera panels, but other options include birch plywood, untempered masonite, and medium-density fiberboard (MDF).
Yes, other options for grounds include clayboard, hardboard, heavy paper (backed with board or cardboard), and canvas (although canvas is not recommended as egg tempera paint is inflexible and will crack and chip when dry).
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