Over the past few weeks, multiple people have asked me, “What’s egg tempera?” The short answer is that it’s an egg-based medium you might recognize from many medieval and Renaissance pieces. And its storied history goes back to prehistoric murals. It has a distinct satiny sheen, similar to, well, an eggshell. However, many modern masters have used it, too.
But that doesn’t really explain what it is like using it.
How does egg tempera compare to other mediums?
First off, I’m not talking about tempera used in elementary. However, the main appeal to elementary teachers was that it was washable…so is egg tempera. From conversations I’ve had, a lot of people out there assume egg tempera is this Crayola brand.
A bit of background. In my teens and twenties, I moved around a lot. Frankly, I did not have storage or the money to take canvases across the Atlantic. Anyway, I used watercolor on paper for the ease of transportation, even though oil colors felt more natural to me. But needs must, and I couldn’t lose rental deposits from dripping oil paint. So I got used to the watercolor process. And I like watercolor, but it never felt quite right.
But watercolor is so unforgiving, isn’t it? Keeping white the color of the paper can be frustrating. I like to experiment, and it’s a little harder to justify playing when you’ve spent hours layering colors from light to dark on paper that is eager to soak up any mistake immediately, even before your scream of “NOOO!” has ended.
Fast forward to the last few years, and I became lucky enough to have the space to paint with oils. But I’m not the most patient person, and layering in oils takes time. (Indeed, it’s why I’m writing this, waiting for a piece to dry.)
Egg tempera, to me, feels like a happy medium between watercolor and oils. I find watercolor frustrating. And sometimes I don’t have the patience for oils.
Egg tempera’s similarities to watercolor:
- Fast-drying ✨
- Water-mixable
- Easy to clean
- Layering to build up color and depth
Egg tempera’s similarities to oil:
- Feels robust
- Pigment packs a punch
- You can mix in oils and mediums
- Many techniques carry over (which make sense if you look at the history)
What about acrylics? Frankly, I never really liked acrylics; I can’t tell you fully why, but I guess I don’t like the plasticky sheen finish. I imagine there are ways to avoid this, but it’s not for me. So I can’t compare!
What are the benefits of using Egg Tempera?
Loads, but here are a few.
- You can paint the tiniest little lines, sharp ones too, with little effort, like the little horns on this figure:
- It’s easy to wash: you can clean up any drippy bits with water (or soapy water)
- Egg tempera resists fading and yellowing; there’s a reason medieval paintings still look so vivid
- Old eggs you can’t eat? Use them instead of tossing them
- Neighbor chickens? Easy, sustainable, and accessible medium. Plus, you know what is in your paints
- If you make a mistake, it’s so easy to rinse it away. I often use a sponge.
- Cleanup is an absolute breeze, especially when compared to oils. Even on fabric, unless you have a high-staining pigment
What are the downsides of egg tempera?
Egg tempera takes a lot of layering. Of course, as the layers dry so quickly, this can be a pleasant meditative experience. I adore the luminosity that it builds. But if you like a quick one-and-done layer, or a thick layer, egg tempera may try your patience.
It is egg tempera, right? There can be a smell, but it usually vanishes over a day or two. To me, it’s better than huffing in turpentine, or god knows what else.
For the best results, use an absorbent gesso on a sturdy panel. Acrylic gesso has been mixed in my experience. (Definitely don’t layer it on a previously used oil painting…RIP painting that came off in flakes. Rest well.) I use a lot of water and dripping when using egg tempera, and it wrinkles the cheaper gesso. My recommendation: I like this ground.
Egg tempera can crack on canvas, although I’ve risked it on some sturdy canvases. Years later, they’re holding up just fine. All this to say, your size or budget can be limited, unless you have access to big slabs of cheap wood. (And if you do, please let me in on this and I’ll love you forever.)
It’s water-resistant, not waterproof!
What should I know before starting to use egg tempera?
Experiment and embrace imperfections. Those “mistakes” could be trying to tell you something. But here are a few things to know.
I see a lot of advice about having to cross-hatch. You don’t have to cross-hatch. I swirl, baby. Honestly, get to know the medium on your own terms and in your own way.
You can use varnish to make a piece appear more like an oil painting. But use fixative first! I don’t have the patience to wait and keep track of curing times (supposedly 3-6 months), but this has stopped paint from smearing, etc.
Yes, you can paint oil on top with other mediums, so it’s a great underlayer for oils or acrylics or mixed mediums (I’ve enjoyed using pastels with egg tempera). However, be aware that tempera on top of oil will crack or not stick. (Which could be a cool mid-layer if you’re looking for some fake patina.)
Layering tempera takes time, yes, but there is flexibility. I’ve enjoyed layering dark to light, light to dark, or my fav, alternating complementary colors. This creates an interesting glow, with unexpected colors. I like the result in the grasses in my piece, Crude Refinery.
Really, I think egg tempera is perfect for people who like oils, dislike acrylic, and aren’t the most patient souls. It also feels so good to mix your own paint and use a medium that has been around since antiquity and give it new life.
I’ll do another post on mixing paint for egg tempera, so stay tuned. If you’re more of a detailed person who prefers tutorials and getting ahead, check out this tutorial on mixing the medium. They have a wealth of information! Or you can use a pre-mixed set like Sennelier’s set and dilute it with water.
Ready to give it a go? Some options I recommend
- Sennelier’s Set, where I got started (and loved by Chagall)
- Cradled board like this one
- I personally like watercolor brushes, but try a few types of rigidity
