Egg Tempera

Egg yolk is a fine binder for pigment, having been used for centuries.

The process is fairly simple

  • Crack an egg
  • Separate the yolk from the white
  • Dry the yolk
  • Puncture the yolk sack
  • Drain into a cup
  • Add about the same volume of water
  • This is your binder
Very basic demo – dip in egg/water medium, dip in pigment, swirl to mix, paint.

Egg tempera and casein should be painted onto a rigid surface like a panel. You can prepare that panel traditionally with rabbitskin glue gesso, as described here. You could also mount paper to a panel to provide a rigid but absorbent surface.

Read this post for some guidance on pigments.

Artists using egg tempera