Tag: how-to

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Ancient Earth Pigments on Streamline Live!

AEP tutorial at Streamline with Eric Rhodes

Today Linda was interviewed live by Eric Rhoads of Streamline Publishing, and did a quick demonstration of making watercolor, gouache, and egg tempera paints for an international online audience! Check out the replay of the live stream below.

Ancient Earth Pigments will be a sponsor of the Watercolor Live on-line conference, January 27-30. Sign up at a discounted rate before January 10th. VIP attendees will receive a gift bag of AEP products (while supplies last)!

Also check out our previous videos on Making Davy’s Grey (mixing pigment powders to match a target), and Making Egg Tempera!

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Mixing Davy’s Grey – A Video Demonstration

You can use our products for many different applications. In this demonstration Linda shows how to mix pigment powders to match existing paints. Davy’s Grey in pastel is no longer available from the manufacturer. However, using our pigments, you can match the color and make your own pastel, egg tempera, gouache, watercolor, or oil paints.

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Ancient Earth Pigments at REALISM LIVE

Because of the pandemic, many art workshops and conferences in the US have been cancelled this year. Some in person events have been replaced with virtual conferences, which have some limitations but also provide some opportunities that are not necessarily there in person. For example, some artists may not be free to travel but can attend a conference or workshop on line! The Realism Live global virtual conference is going to be held on line (this October 20-24) in place of the FACE conference and workshop that was to be held in Baltimore this fall. Ancient Earth Pigments is a Gold sponsor of this event and is contributing gift packets for VIP ticket holders that include samples of some of our products.

We have also prepared an introductory video for the conference describing some of our products, and includes some demonstration of their use. Here is an edit of the demonstration video for your enjoyment. In addition to an introduction to some of our products, we have a demo of color preparations.

Thanks much to our videographer Charlie Kernkamp!

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Making Egg Tempera

Egg Tempera is an ancient painting medium using egg yolk or a whole egg. It was famously used in Europe for illuminated manuscripts, and was the most common painting medium until it was surpassed by oil paint during the Renaissance. Once dried, egg yolk tempera hardens permanently and can last for centuries.

Here’s a basic recipe to make it yourself!

Tools for making Egg Tempera. Egg, water, gum arabic, clove oil, scissors, brush, paper towels, gloves, bowls.

Ingredients:

  • One egg
  • 1:1 Gum Arabic Solution
  • Water
  • Clove oil or vinegar (optional)

Tools:

  • Bowls
  • Pipette or measuring spoons
  • Paper Towels
  • Scissors or sharp knife
  • Whisk or mixing stick
  • Tiny spoons or spatula
  • Glass grinding plate
  • Muller

Preparing Egg Tempera Binder:

Separate:

Use as fresh an egg as possible. Break eggshell carefully, letting egg white drip into a bowl. Move the yolk gently between shell halves; don’t break the yolk.

Roll:

Carefully roll the yolk onto a paper towel. Roll it back and forth to remove all the egg white.

Drain:

Rolling the yolk to the edge of the towel, place another bowl under it. Pierce it with the knife and let it drain into the bowl. Keep the yolk sac out, and throw it away.

Water:

Use pipette to add enough water for a 1:1 mixture and whisk.

Gum Arabic:

Add 1:1 Gum Arabic solution to the yolk mixture and whisk.

*Clove oil

Add a drop of clove oil or vinegar to avoid ‘eggy’ odor and prevent mold. (this is optional)

Pigment Mixing:

Supplies for pigment mixing. Egg mixture, pigments, glass plate, brush, spatula, spoon, muller

Using the frosted side of a glass plate, add 1-2 drops of your egg mixture with a pipette.

Add a tiny amount of dry pigment and grind lightly with the muller.

Test your tempera– if it dries dull, add more yolk. If it’s too thin or too glossy, add more pigment.

Notes:

Without added pigment, the yolk mixture lasts 3-4 days.

Mixed with pigment, it lasts until dried, about 2-3 days.

Make sure to wash your brushes quickly after using. Egg yolk gets very hard! (Remember that egg tempera paintings last many centuries…) Olive oil soap is recommended.

Recipe by Bjo Trimble. Video by Anna Nelson.