Need a New Hobby? Egg Tempera Painting Is Creative, Messy, and Fun

If you’re looking for a creative hobby that’s easy to start and packed with history, egg tempera painting is worth a try. You don’t need fancy supplies – just some eggs, basic pigments, and something to paint on.

It’s a hands-on project that lets you experiment with color and technique, whether you want to make detailed art or just have some fun decorating objects around the house. Plus, it’s a budget-friendly way to reuse old paints or even makeup.

What Is Egg Tempera?

Egg tempera is a form of painting that uses powdered pigments mixed with egg yolk. It was very popular during the early Renaissance, and Botticelli’s Birth of Venus is just one example of a famous painting in this medium.

Although it doesn’t produce colors as rich as oil paints, tempera paintings have lasted without color loss for many centuries. It’s also a form of fast-drying paint you can make yourself with nothing but eggs and cheap watercolor pigments.

You can actually use almost anything to color your paints, but do your research because some ordinary substances become toxic when they’re ground up small enough to be inhaled. You can use old makeup powders, food coloring and anything with pigment.

You can also use it to make decorative objects from templates or stencils, regardless of your level of artistic talent. It can also be a very cheap way to recycle your kids’ unused watercolor cakes into something new and exciting they’ll play with for hours.

The History and Evolution of Egg Tempera

Egg tempera has a long and interesting past. Artists have been using this technique for over a thousand years.

In fact, before oil painting became popular in Europe, tempera was the main way to make paintings that lasted. You’ll see it in many old religious icons and altarpieces from the Middle Ages and the early Renaissance in Europe, especially in Italy and Greece.

Tempera’s popularity started to fade around the 1500s, when artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Jan van Eyck began using oil paints. They liked oil because it was easier to blend colors and create realistic shadows.

Still, some artists have always stuck with egg tempera because it has a unique look – clean lines, bright but slightly matte colors, and very fine details.

Why Egg Tempera Is Unique

The way egg tempera dries is different from oil or acrylic paint. Since the yolk is the binder, it dries pretty much as soon as you put it on the paper or wood.

That means you can’t really go back and blend colors once they’re down. Instead, you build up layers – a little like coloring with colored pencils. Each layer is thin and transparent, so you have to paint carefully. But the payoff is a really crisp, detailed image.

Another thing that sets tempera apart is how long it lasts. Tempera paintings from the 14th and 15th centuries still look good today.

Oil paintings crack over time, but tempera doesn’t tend to do that as much. This is because the egg yolk forms a tough film as it dries.

Mixing Your Egg Tempera

Here’s a little more detail on how to actually mix up egg tempera:

Crack an egg and separate the yolk from the white. Roll the yolk back and forth between your hands to get rid of all the egg white.

Carefully poke a hole in the yolk’s membrane and let the yolk run into a small bowl.

Mix in your pigment a little at a time until you get a thick, creamy paste.

If the mixture seems too dry or thick, you can add a drop or two of water. If it’s too runny, add more pigment.

Use your paint right away – it’ll start to dry out after 30-60 minutes.

Painting Techniques

With egg tempera, it’s all about layering. Here are some techniques you might try:

Glazing: Paint a thin layer of color, let it dry, then add another layer on top for richer shades.

Hatching: Build up shadows by making lots of tiny lines close together.

Scumbling: Lightly brush a nearly dry brush over dry paint to soften colors or add texture.

Detail work: Use small brushes to add sharp lines and tiny shapes – tempera is great for this.

Because tempera dries so fast, you’ll need to rinse your brush often so it doesn’t get stiff.

Choosing Surfaces for Egg Tempera

Tempera doesn’t work well on every kind of surface. Because it dries so fast and isn’t flexible, it can crack if you use it on something that bends or stretches, like canvas unless it’s been prepped properly.

Traditionally, artists used wooden panels covered with layers of gesso (a mix of glue and chalk). Gesso gives you a smooth, absorbent surface that holds the paint well.

If you’re just getting started, you can use heavy watercolor paper or illustration board. If you want to try painting on wood, look for pre-gessoed panels at an art supply store.

You can also make your own gesso by mixing white glue with a little bit of chalk dust or even baking soda.

What to Use for Pigments

For pigments, you can use all sorts of things.

Other paints. This is a great way to use dried up paints.

Food coloring

Old powder makeup, like eye shadows and blushes. This can be especially fun with sparkly colors.

Commercial pigments

Pretty much anything that stains clothing

How to Store and Display Tempera Paintings

Once your painting is dry (usually within an hour or so), it’s pretty tough. Still, egg tempera isn’t waterproof until you seal it. If you want to protect your painting, consider spraying it with a clear acrylic fixative or varnish made for art. Don’t touch the surface too much with your fingers – oil from your skin can leave marks.

Store finished works flat in a dry place out of direct sunlight. Tempera isn’t as sensitive to light as watercolors, but it’s still best to avoid too much sun.

Fun Projects with Egg Tempera

Kids and adults alike can find creative ways to use egg tempera:

Paint wooden ornaments or picture frames

Decorate boxes or trays

Try painting on rocks or shells

Make greeting cards or bookmarks

Because the paint is homemade and non-toxic (as long as you avoid dangerous pigments), this can be a fun family project.

Cleaning Up

Unlike oil paints, egg tempera is easy to clean up with soap and water while it’s still wet. Wash your brushes right after painting so the yolk doesn’t dry in them – otherwise they’ll get hard fast.