Oil Portraits with Egg Oil Emulsion Underpainting

[koo835]

Great video, Rob.  I'm currently working on a copy of a Memling in tempera grassa. However in my medium I'm also including the white of the egg. Because of all the albumen in the white, this improves the drying time, correct? (My tempera grassa mix dries to touch within about 10 seconds). If I want to do oil glazing on top, can I just use some tube oils and add a touch of egg yolk to them to improve the paint's capacity for lines and speed up drying? Thanks!

[DevineEscapes]

I shall try this out today. Thank you.

[studioprod]

@AlcoholicMage

There are some nice egg/oil emulsion paintings done before the Renaissance. It's a medium that "settles in" quickly and after that there's very little change. I feel that my emulsions paintings will last long enough to embarrass my grandchildren.

As an underpainting, it's unbelievable how much you can get done before having to switch over to oils. Because it's so lean, the oils on top are unlikely to ever see any problems.

[studioprod]

@AlcoholicMage @AlcoholicMage

There are some nice egg/oil emulsion paintings done before the Renaissance. It's a medium that "settles in" quickly and after that there's very little change. I feel that my emulsions paintings will last long enough to embarrass my grandchildren.

As an underpainting, it's unbelievable how much you can get done before having to switch over to oils. Because it's so lean, the oils on top are unlikely to ever see any problems.

[studioprod]

The oil used is a refined oil called Special Aged Linseed Oil. It's the only oil especially made for mixing with pigment.

[Subcogitate]

@studioprod What about pale grinders oil that has a higher acidity?

[vinishdo]

I'm sorry is this is a dumb question, but can you use unfridgerated eggs? Besides, the smell, will it still work?

[studioprod]

@vinishdo

There were two yolks.There were two yolks. Unrefrigerated eggs are used, The emulsion is made fresh. This is just a small clip of a large video on painting mediums of all kinds.

[Lytton333]

What kind of oil were you using there?Was it cold-pressed linseed? And how many yolks..(I noticed that it looked as though you already had some more egg yolk in the blender..

Thanks..

[ArtWithRob]

so why would one do all this, why not just use paint from a tube, is there any advantages to this.

[studioprod]

It produces a fast-drying and VERY lean underpainting that accepts subsequent layers of oil paint better than does straight oil paints.

[menderfire9]

Often called "egg tempera." The Old Masters used it, it has held up for centuries.

[studioprod]

This is not egg tempera because it can be used on canvas. Egg tempera should be used on rigid substrates. Egg tempera has no oil in it.

[studioprod]

I suppose in some places, it might be called egg tempera, but that's almsot as off-target as calling it automotive lacquer. Egg tempera is egg yolk, water and pigment and must be done on a panel, not canvas. Because this is made with additional oil, it is a combination of oil and water...an emulsion. Very different from egg tempera.

[Barnekkid]

Very interesting. Is this what is called tempera? Because of the compounds organic component, will it spoil or can it be kept?

[Divertedflight]

Pure tempera is just made with the egg yolk.

This is tempera glassa.

Both are best made and used fresh.

However, though I haven't tried it, I suppose one could store it in an air tight jar and keep it in the fridge for a few days.

[Divertedflight]

Sorry, tempera grassa, not glassa