So I took up the Egg tempera course as I have longed admire the oil paintings by the old masters and I really wanted to know the technique for creating the magical luminosity in some of those master paintings.
Once again the course was taught at the Princes School of Traditional Arts, a wonderful place that teaches a lot of different traditional arts and I thoroughly recommend it.
This is a 5 full days course and we were kept rather busy. There are a number of steps and a lot of recipes to remember so I am writing them down and I hope you can benefit too. I have divided the sections under these headings.
Day 1 is all about preparation of the panel itself for painting.
PROCESS - showing what I have done on the day step by step
OTHER TIPS - for various notes and tips
RECIPES - for various recipes of mixtures
PROCESS
1. We got given a 15mm thick MDF panel and the first thing was to sand it down with a 400 grain sand panel until smooth
2. We then added 1 layer of 1/2 strength Rabbit Skin Glue RSG*(see recipe) , let it dry then added 2 layers of full strength, let each layer dry off before applying the next. Apply in thin layer, with a broad, flat brush.
3. We added 10 layers ( 8 absolutely minimum) of Gesso*(see recipe) to the panel when it was completely dry. We had to make sure each layer was completely dry before applying the next - we applied in perpendicular sequence ( one vertical, the next horizontal) using varnishing flat brush.
4. We waited at least 12 hours/ overnight before sanding it the next day. - see tomorrow's process for continuation.
RECIPE - Rabbit Skin Glue - Full strength
RSG is used as a base for all Gesso panels and canvas, papers etc, it seals the surface so the medium does not sink into the panel. It is much better than the acrylic one which will crack in time.
a. The ratio is 1 part RSG granules to 18 parts water
b. First add 1 part RSG to 6 parts of water, NO STIRRING, let it sit and thicken for 10 to 15 minutes on its own
c. add the rest of the water, keep it warm and stir, allow for 20 minutes for it to completely dissolve
- This can keep for a week in the fridge
- do not overheat during the process or it will weaken the glue
RECIPE - Gesso
This is basically chalk, £3 for 3 kg from art shops.
a. It is 1 part RSG to 2 parts whiting ( powder) with water to help dissolve the medium
b. measure out the volume of the powder when it is dry and note the RSG will be half of this
c. add some cold water slowly and stir until the whiting completely dissolve like a creamy yogurt ( when you find it in a delicious texture and want to spoon it in your mouth, then it is ready)
d. Gradually add in the RSG and stir well and then it is ready to be used
e. Note i the beginning this may seem runny but it will thicken
f. pass the mixture through muslin if really need to ( too lumpy etc)
This can be keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days, the next day even creamier!
RECIPE - EGG TEMPERA
This will be sufficient for a 1m x 1m painting, it is stable, flat in appearance and does not dis colour over time. It is used with pigment to create paint for the underpainting, where shadows are created.
a. It is 1 part egg to 2 parts white, normal vinegar, ( 1 to 6 will be too Matt, 1 to 1 too shiny)
b. crack an egg, get rid of the egg white ( save for Glair, see separate recipe) roll the egg on the hand and wipe the other until the egg yolk becomes tacky, then hold it gently and pinch it to let the egg yolk drop in a jar.
c. add in 2 parts vinegar and stir well - this is the egg tempera
- This can be kept for 2 to 3 months in the fridge.
- vinegar make the egg tougher and less likely to be lifted by painting over
- to be used as 1 part to 1 part with pigment to create paint ( thin by water in the underpainting process)
RECIPE - Glair
This is to be used between the egg tempera layer BEFORE applying oil paint to seal off the egg tempera layer
a. beat 1 egg white for 15 minutes until white and stiff and when turn upside down it doesn't fall
b. pour in 1 ounce of water, DO NOT STIR
c. leave overnight in a cool place
d. pour the liquid in a clean jar the next day
e. add 1/3 of water to its 1 part portion, and apply 3 layers to the egg tempera
f. Leave at least 45minutes before applying the oil paint
- this will make the painting look like it has a glass sheen on top
- this will cover a 1m x 1m surface
