Luminous colour

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

■ Understand the materials you will need

■ How to make egg tempera

■ First steps in using the medium

Egg tempera is a beautiful medium to use. It is simple, just an egg yolk, powdered pigment, and water. It was used for hundreds of years before oil paints were introduced and will never yellow or crack over time like oils. It is quick drying and has a wonderful luminosity when dry.

Very delicate and detailed work can be achieved, which is particularly useful when painting such things as animals’ fur. It cannot be laid on in the thick buttery way that oil paint can and is best built up in thin translucent layers, using crosshatching or stippling for darker tones, however interesting surface textures can be dabbed on with less dilute