‘Painting with Nature’
A Specialist Three Day Workshop in Egg Tempera and natural Gesso grounds
This workshop will involve learning and using Egg Tempera Painting processes that date back to early Renaissance and late Medieval times. The focus will be on the natural raw materials and pigments involved, their purity of colour and their direct connection to the environment.
You will learn to create your own chalk Gesso Panel and Egg Tempera Paints and have time to explore the luminous, translucent and pure qualities unique to this medium.
The first and second days will involve an introduction to the medium, making Gesso and exploring the natural palette. You will prepare your own panel and other grounds for experimentation, learn how to make the egg yolk binder, and prepare and grind the pigments.
There will be time for experimentation and development of ideas, working with the pigment colours and their natural qualities, layering, scratching in, and a demo on ‘Glair’, the egg white binder used in Medieval manuscript illuminations for its pearlescent qualities and bright colours.
On day three, you will develop your work toward your finished painting with time for individual tuition on approaches to working with this medium.
This workshop will allow participants the knowledge and understanding needed to work with this medium from the home or studio. Inspiration with a still life and artists’ research will be provided, though participants are welcome to bring their own sketchbooks and ideas to develop.
Discussion around the nature of the pigments used and the environment is welcome, as well as an understanding of the purity of what is left that goes down the sink at the end!
Would suit interested beginners, as well as artists wanting to expand their practice and approach.
Please bring your own sketchbooks, watercolour brushes and pencils.
All other pigments and materials will be provided.
