DIY Tempera Paint

Madonna and Child by Duccio, 1284

Egg tempera derives its name from the binder that is used. Egg yolk is an emulsifier that forces oil and water to combine. Pigments were ground and wetted with water, and then, tempered with egg yolk. Thus, the name egg tempera. Egg tempera is one of the oldest painting mediums that is contemporary with encaustic. The oldest known surviving examples of tempera art date to the 5th Century BC. It was the primary painting medium until the Renaissance when it was replaced with oil paint. Egg Tenpera is a permenant, fast drying medium that is long lasting and water resistant. However, it can only be used on wood panels primed with a chalk gesso or fresco primed with a lime gesso. It cannot be used on canvas because it is not a flexible medium. It is stiff and will crack as it dries. Egg yolk is acidic. It will eat through car or house paint, so it cannot be used on fabric either. Michaelango added liquid myrrh to tempera in order to give the paint a pleasing odor as it dried. The egg will rot and will remain putrid until thoroughly dry. Once dry, the egg produces a plastic-like coating. It is best to use it outdoors. Water must be added to the paint to keep it moist for use. Oil was added to increase the working time, which later became the inspiration for oil paint. Tempera cannot be used in thick coats. It must be applied in a thin transparent layer and allowed to dry between layers. The albumen (white) can be used as a varnish. One benefit to egg tempera is that it does not change color over time, whereas, oil paint will turn yellow. Egg tempera cannot be blended on the canvas. The pigments must be pre-mixed before adding the yolk. Colors are blended on the canvas by making connective strokes with a small brush. The rapid drying nature of egg tempera lends itself very well to tiny details.

Walnut Oil has been used interchangeably with linseed oil for over a thousand years. It flows more freely, and has less tendency to crack or yellow. Today it is known that Renaissance masters such as Da Vinci and Durer generally favored walnut oil over linseed oil. It is available from Blick Art for $5.85. 

Myrrh Extract from Mountain Rose Herbs for $10.75..

Refer to my posts: Make Your Own Art Supplies, Makeup, Pigment, Paint and Dye, and Media Molds and Containers for a list of things you will need to complete this tutorial.

Egg Tempera

1 Tablespoon of Pigment

1 Egg yolk

3 Drops Water

5 Drops Vodka

1 Drop Glycerin (optional)

1 Drop Walnut oil (optional)

1 Drop Myrrh extract (optional)

Glass dish

Egg separator 

#61 spatula

Crack an egg into a dish to make sure there are no shells or in case the yolk ruptures. Separate the yolk from the white. Reserve the white in a covered dish for varnish. Transfer the yolk back and forth between your hands. Dry your empty hand with a paper towel after each pass. Do this until the yolk is dry enough to hold with your fingers. Hold the yolk over a bowl and pierce it with a spatula. Discard the membrane. The modern way is to place the yolk onto a paper towel. Gather the towel over the egg. Hold it over a container and pierce it. Add water and vodka to the yolk and mix to combine. Wet the pigment with water. You may add a drop of glycerin to help wet the pigment if it is hydrophobic. Add the yolk and blend with the spatula. Add a drop of oil and myrrh extract (optional). Stir to combine and use immediately. Egg tempera cannot be stored. Use the egg white to varnish over dried paint.

Children's Paint

Modern children's paint is also called tempera. In this case, the word describes the temporary nature of the medium. Poster paint is another word for tempera. Some manufacturers of children’s paint add a non-foaming surfactant (Triton X-100). It’s a common additive in paint that forces pigment to bind with water. Children’s watercolor pans are also made from tempera. Pigments are not typically used in children's paint. Petroleum based Azo dyes are used instead. These dyes are also used for coloring soap. For finger paint, use only food coloring or natural dyes derived from food. Always beware of food allergies! Food based colorants spoil quickly so the paint will only last up to a week if refrigerated and only a day or two of left at room temperature.

Color Garden plant based food coloring is available from Swanson for $8.49 if you don't want to make it from scratch.

Sax Liquid Watercolors are also an option.

DIY Food Coloring

The best way to make edible food coloring is to start with freeze dried food powder. Dehydrating fresh food doesn't retain the color vibrancy the way freeze drying does. Items such as: turmeric, annatto, paprika, cocoa powder and activated charcoal do not fall into this category. Simply mix 2 teaspoons of powder with 1/4 cup of water.

Prepare natural dye by steaming edibles such as: beets, red bell pepper, red cabbage, spinach, spirulina, carrots, berries, butterfly pea flowers, etc. Red cabbage will change color with the addition of 1 teaspoon of white vinegar. The less water you use, the more concentrated the color will be. You want to heat the produce just enough to make it soft. Press the juice from the edibles using a food mill.

Simmer the juice down to half of its original volume to make a concentrate.

If you want to thicken the juice for frosting gel similar to Wilton, add 1/8 teaspoon of gelatin or carrageenan (for a vegan option) to the juice. Allow it to bloom and gel.

Store in a dropper or covered jar. Use the same as you would commercial food coloring.

Paint (Tempera) Powder

1 C. Cornstarch

1 oz. Wilton icing color or homemade coloring gel

1/3 C. Water

In a mixing bowl, stir together the cornstarch and water. The consistency should be a thin paste that slowly oozes off the spoon. Mix in the dye. Use the entire ounce for a vibrant color or a 1/2 ounce for a pastel shade.

Pour the mixture into a shallow aluminum baking tray and let it dry out until it cracks. Heat an oven to 350 F and turn it off. Place the trays in the oven with the door cracked open. Leave the powder in the oven for at least 30 minutes or until thoroughly dry. 

Pulse the dry powder in a blender to a super fine texture. Store in ziplock bags until ready for use.

Poster Paint

3 Tbsp. Paint powder

2 Tbsp. Water

Mix ingredients together in a small cup or muffin tin.

Finger Paint

1/2 C. Flour

1 C. Water

1/4 C. Cold Water

Pinch of Salt

1/4 tsp. Food coloring or 

1 Tbsp. Liquid watercolor

Pour flour and one cup of water into a saucepan. Stir the ingredients over medium heat until it comes together like a smooth, thick paste. The mixture will be lumpy until it is thoroughly blended. When it starts to pull away from the sides, remove from heat and add a pinch of salt.

Slowly stir 1/4 cup of cold water into the flour mixture. Divide the mixture evenly into small bowls. Add coloring and stir. Store in the fridge in a covered container if not using right away.

Face Paint

1-1/2 tsp. Cornstarch

1/2 tsp. Kaolin

2 tsp. Honey

1/2 tsp. Water

1-3 Drops Food coloring

1/4 tsp. Activated charcoal for black

1/2 tsp. Titanium dioxide or chalk for white

Mix cornstarch and kaolin together in a small bowl. Add honey and water. Stir until thoroughly combined. Add food coloring, charcoal or titanium dioxide and stir thoroughly. 

Paint on your design using a generous amount of paint. It sets better if painted on thickly. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes and dust it with cornstarch to mattify and prevent smearing. Skip this step for a glossy finish.

Kwik Stix are marketed as tempera paint sticks. They’re soft, creamy and water soluble. They’re popular among scrapbook artists. You can make these with pigments and mica for adult use or with food coloring for children.

Children’s Tempera Paint Sticks

1/2 C. Cornstarch + more for kneading

1 C. Water

1/4 tsp. Food coloring

Gloves

Snack size ziplock bags

Lip balm tubes

Pour cornstarch and water into a saucepan. Add coloring. Stir the ingredients over medium heat until it comes together like a smooth, thick paste. The mixture will be lumpy until it is thoroughly blended. When it starts to pull away from the sides, remove from heat.

Sprinkle cornstarch onto a work surface. Knead additional cornstarch into the paint until it has the consistency of clay.

Transfer to a snack bag and snip off one corner. Squeeze the paint into a lip balm tube. Excess may be stored in the freezer.