Painting Technical Workshop, making your own paint (egg tempera)

28/11/2024 Camberwell College of Arts

 

During the workshop, I have learned the purpose, the use of this paint, and how to make, use and contextualised this traditional medium. The term “tempera” originates from the verb “temper”, meaning “to bring to a desired consistency.” (Britannica Encyclopaedia, 2025) In my experience, I found egg tempera easier to make than oil paint, which adds to its appeal for practical applications.

 

Preparation:

1. Pigment

2. Water

3. Fresh egg

4. Palette

5. Palette knife

6. Kitchen towel

7. A sharp tool

8. Small containers

 

 

Figure 1. Andrew Grassie, The Hanging of the Hang (2005),

Tempera on paper, 15 x 23cm

 

Steps:

1. Carefully separate the yolk and white, make sure the membrane of the yolk is still intact.

1. Place egg yolk on a kitchen towel, puncture a tiny hole with a sharp tool, squeeze the yolk liquid into a small container and it is ready for use.

2. To bind the loose power by mixing dry pigment with a small amount of water, with palette knife.

3. Gradually adding small amount of egg yolk into the pigment paste to your desired consistency.

4. Ready to use.

 

Here are some qualities of egg tempera that I found and how they have influenced my experimentation:

 

1. Egg tempera dries quickly, making it ideal for layering paint efficiently. This quality is ideal for paintings that require precision or repeat application. 

2. The paint provides a subtle sheen, minimising reflection from light sources. 

3. The natural yellow tone of the egg yolk can affect the colour of the paint, which I found to have both advantages and disadvantages. Pros: The yellow tint increases coherence to the painting by harmonising colours, creating a unified and balanced composition. Cons: The yellow tint can alter lighter or cooler colours, making it challenging to achieve certain tones.

4. Egg tempera is particularly effective for smaller scales of painting A perfect example is The Hanging of New Hang (2005) (see figure 1.) by Andrew Grassie. 

 

Using egg tempera to paint makes me feel like creating a bridge between the past to present due to its rich historical significance. I realise that incorporating this medium into my work not only connects to the long art history, but also metaphorically reflects how my identity has been shaped by the influences of the Western. I have experimented it on a 10cm x 10cm paper and was pleased with the fast drying result, encourages me to carry-on with this medium in a series of smaller scale paintings. 

 

Reference:

 

Britannica Encyclopaedia (2025) Tempera painting, Encyclopædia Britannica. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/art/tempera-painting (Accessed: 20 January 2025). 

 

Tate (1970) ‘the hanging of New Hang’, Andrew Grassie, 2005, Tate. Available at: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/grassie-the-hanging-of-new-hang-t12171 (Accessed: 20 January 2025).