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Recipe: Lean Egg Tempera with Linseed Oil

The word Tempera comes from Latin „temperare“ and means “to make mild” or “to control” which is probably referring to the fact that tempera paint combines materials which are usually unmixable. Mixing agents or emulsifier are used in order to blend resin, oil and water-dilutable colors without the use of odorous solvents. Tempera paint can be used for nuanced art work since it is hardly runny. The dry paint is water-resistant.

Processing

Crack the egg into a glass with a screw cap. Shake the egg well. Step 1#64: Crack the egg into a glass with a screw cap. Shake the egg well.
Take the equal measure of Linseed Oil (#79300) - either by using a measuring cup or by filling the empty shells of the egg with Linseed Oil - and add it to the egg. Shake well. Add the demineralized water to the emulsion (water should always go in last!) and shake again thoroughly. Step 2#282: Take the equal measure of Linseed Oil (#79300) - either by using a measuring cup or by filling the empty shells of the egg with Linseed Oil - and add it to the egg. Shake well. Add the demineralized water to the emulsion (water should always go in last!) and shake again thoroughly.
In a mortar or on a plate, stir the pigment of your choice into the egg tempera (binder) and grind until the fluid has a viscosity like yogurt. Step 3#143: In a mortar or on a plate, stir the pigment of your choice into the egg tempera (binder) and grind until the fluid has a viscosity like yogurt.
Now the tempera paint is ready to use; add a little water if necessary. Step 4#71: Now the tempera paint is ready to use; add a little water if necessary.

Ingredients

1 part(s) Fresh egg
1 part(s) linseed oil
1-3 part(s) Water (#65000)
Pigment
glass
mortar and pestle, or medium size glass muller and glass palette

Note

For egg tempera, you should only use distilled or demineralized water. Tap water can cause flocculation of the mixture. Boiling the water before use will prolong the stability of the paint. As a preservative, you can add a drop of Clove Oil (#73700). You can also use walnut oil instead of linseed oil. RECIPE FROM Doerner, Max: Malmaterial und seine Verwendung im Bilde. (20th ed.), Stuttgart 2003, p. 198.

We assume no liability for the processing instructions described above. In any case, we recommend the production and evaluation of sample surfaces.

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