Painting with egg oil tempera is easy. With a little practice, anyone can succeed. Here we go through some useful techniques and tips for painting with egg oil tempera.
Preparation
Make sure the surface you are going to paint is clean, dry, and free from dust. Lightly sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper if necessary to create a smooth and clean surface for the paint to adhere to.
The paint
Stir the egg oil tempera before painting so that the color becomes even and nice. Make sure the paint has a good consistency before you start painting. It should be like porridge or thin yogurt in consistency.
Use the right brush
Use a brush of good quality suitable for egg oil tempera, such as a round or flat brush made of natural or mixed bristles. Use a larger brush for larger areas and a smaller brush for details and smaller areas.
Paint generously without the paint running
Apply egg oil tempera generously and preferably with some speed. Only paint wet on wet and avoid brushing over paint that has started to dry on the surface. This gives the best surface and results and reduces the risk of the surface appearing streaky or uneven.
Painting on absorbent substrates such as lump paper, clay plaster, or stucco
For painting on lump paper, make sure the paper is adequately saturated with wallpaper paste so it won't absorb as much during painting. When painting on clay plaster and stucco, it can be good to spray the surface with water just before applying the paint, which also helps prevent the substrate from absorbing too much.
Cross-drag technique
Use the cross-drag technique to achieve an even surface when painting with egg oil tempera. First, paint in one direction (vertically or horizontally) and then in the opposite direction (horizontally or vertically) to achieve an even distribution of paint on the surface.
Let the paint dry
Allow the egg oil tempera to dry properly between layers and before using the surface. The drying time may vary depending on temperature, substrate, and thickness of the paint layer.
In summary, it is important to follow these techniques and tips to achieve the best possible results when painting with egg oil tempera. By preparing the surface, using the right brushes, and applying the paint thickly, you can create a beautiful and durable surface for your painting project.
Proceed to the next step: Afterwork: drying time and brush cleaning →
