Egg tempera is a very ancient method of painting, which was used Medieval and early Renaissance painters. After oils were developed, about the end of the 15th Century, it was almost forgotten until its revival in the the 1930's. It is now once again a very popular medium, especially with the magic realists, such as Ken Danby, Alex Colville and Andrew Wyeth .

Egg tempera is made from egg yolk, dry pigment and water. The artist can mix this themselves or purchase it from companies such as Daler-Rowney. It dries to the touch in seconds, although like oils, it is not chemically dry for about one year. It needs to be applied thinly, and it is this layering process, which makes egg tempera so unique. Each coat of under-painting, flows through the subsequent over painting, even when the final coats are fairly opaque. I use about 15 layers of paint for the flesh tones. The optical result is a luminosity, which can't be duplicated by other mediums.

The painting support I use, is the smooth side of masonite, which is given about 10 coats of Gesso and sanded smooth.

Egg tempera can be applied with brushes, sponges, fingers etc. It can be removed while still a few days old, with a wet cloth, or if dry and set, with a razor blade. A technique I like is, a scratch out technique, using a sharp tool. I use a sharpened dental pick. With this, lines can be scratched our, through the layers of paint, down to the Gesso if desired. If this Gesso, has had a coat of egg tempera colour first, which is well dry for two weeks before the painting is started, the lines will be in that colour, rather than the white Gesso.

Like all mediums, egg tempera has its limitations. You can't use great lumps of paint, or a palette knife technique. Also it requires some practice to learn to lay down an even tone. It is a linear style of paint and as such, it is not suitable for artists who do not draw well.

Egg temperas do not require varnishing, and are one of the most permanent mediums. They do not darken with age, nor fade. In fact they tend to become more luminous with time.

I prefer egg tempera, as its glowing colour, and fine detail are best at expressing my style of visionary painting.

Dorothy Renals