Properties
Egg tempera is sometimes mixed with oils or egg whites, but it is usually just egg yolk and water with pigments mixed in just before use. This is what I use. Egg tempera requires sunlight as a fixative for it's properties. The light actually changes the chemical composition of the egg. Unlike other forms of paint, egg tempera not only favors sunlight and air but requires them. These paintings should not be stored in dark or musty places or be covered for long periods of time in paper, cloth, etc. If framing is desired, and if glass is desired with this, the glass should not be fitted too closely to the surface of the painting, at least 1/8 inch or more between glass and painting surface, as temperas need air. Tempera paintings really should not be covered in any way for at least a year after completion as, though the paint is dry to the touch four to fifteen seconds after application, it is not completely set for about a year. In general, temperas prefer lots of air, lots of light, and the same temperatures and humidity levels most humans do.
All artwork © 2004 Theresa
Pedrotti. All rights reserved.