This week I had the last lesson in my five week course on egg tempera painting... so it seemed like a good topic for Five on Friday. Five weeks and five little paintings! To be fair there are six but I don't like one of them so you're not seeing that!
1. In our first lesson we learned about the pigments and the various binders that are traditionally used. The binder doesn't have to be egg but we were using egg yolk mixed with wonderful powders with names like Terre Verte, Ultramarine and Cadmium Red. Our first little project was an illuminated letter and I chose an A. Yes, I know I've shown this before but I was quite happy with this as a first attempt!
2. We were still tracing designs given to us by the tutor at this stage, and as I had finished my first one at home in the second week I painted a D.... Probably my favourite so far. (Before you ask why an A or D... these were the only choices!)
3. Although I was enjoying painting the letters I was keen to try the paints and techniques on something I had designed myself and so my third painting was this teacup. It is still only a couple of inches high and in the style of the illuminated letters. It is far from perfect, and already just a few weeks later I would do it differently.
4. In class we progressed onto gesso panels and painted designs onto these little roundels. The gesso surface feels completely different to paper, drinking up the paint as it is applied. My first attempt (on the reverse... the one you won't see) was very patchy and I wasn't happy with it but I quite like my second attempt.
5. After class this week I came home and worked on another illuminated letter... A little surprise for a friend. This one was just a bit larger than the others and I thought that would make it easier but no! Much harder to paint the longer straight lines!
It has been a really enjoyable course, especially as it was something I have wanted to learn for a long time. I would love to continue and do more - I have a small postcard sized gesso panel and intend to try an icon at some point. But the problem is actually finding the time. I aspire to be as good as my tutor Juliet. I know I am not happy just "dabbling" ... I'm too much of a perfectionist but don't think I can spare time for serious study and practise... not just yet anyway
However I am rounding off this five week course by treating myself to a day out at the V & A today where I am attending a lecture on art techniques all about egg tempera... It seemed fitting!
Joining in with Amy and Five on Friday... do go and check out the others taking part today.
On a completely different note, my stepson James is getting married today... the two of them have flown off to Venice on their own for a very private ceremony. Congratulations James and Lizzie!
A great 5 on Friday. They all look good to me. It struck me that you are very brave showing off your work , especially when you're learning a new skill. Have an amazing day at the V&A. What a venue for a course.
ReplyDeleteYour artwork is really good, very impressive. For someone who is only learning, you clearly have a gifting there! X
ReplyDeleteI think they are wonderful so vibrant and colourful. Thank you for sharing your work with us and I hope you enjoy your course at the V&A:)
ReplyDeleteOh Gina they are all so beautiful, what incredibly intricate work. You really are very talented. I hope that you enjoy your lecture and time at the V&A today. Congratulations to James and Lizzie, I hope they have a wonderful, long and happy marriage. xx
ReplyDeleteThey are all beautiful and well done you. Congrats to your son.
ReplyDeleteThese are lovely :D
ReplyDeleteGina, it is easy to see how this egg tempera technique would continue to "draw you in" and encourage your wishing to increase your expertise. It was interesting to see the link to your teacher's site.
ReplyDeleteI am thrilled that you sent me that beautiful teacup painting. I treasure it!
The V&A lecture would definitely have interested me, too. I'm looking forward to seeing your report. I am imagining that there are many resources available in London and elsewhere in the U.K. offering various materials for use in egg tempera painting...and I don't mean just eggs!
Best wishes to the newlyweds...how very romanatic to choose a Venetian wedding at this particular time of the year. Wow!
xo
I love those letters and am delighted with my H - thankyou so much. The technique lends itself well to the teacup design and I hope you find time one day to start work on the icon. Best wishes to your stepson and his wife.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful, rich colours. And congratulations on the family wedding, very sensible of them thinking of their day for themselves too.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I particularly like the tea cup :) Congratulations to your stepson and new wife
ReplyDeleteI love the intensity of the colours and it must have been lovely to have time to play and learn something new.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to James and Lizzie!
ReplyDeleteI am not familiar with egg tempura but it sounds quite tricky. I do love your small paintings and I also love the names of the pigments you are using. I use pigments for soapmaking sometimes. Have a lovely weekend.
Your paintings are so vivid, such lovely strong colours!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the happy couple!! :)
V x
Your paintings are so vivid, such lovely strong colours!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the happy couple!! :)
V x
These are interesting! I did a taster at Art in Action one year. We were given a Tudor Rose to paint.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to hear the part of the talk where the lady showed the different pigments. There was a chart which showed how the colours and minerals were perceived and used. There was a 'spiritual' meaning as the colours moved from the dark/earth colours to the light, the pinnacle being gold. The colours were related to the planets as well.
Sandy in Bracknell
That sounds like a fascinating course, I hope you do continue to do more paintings. Do you work with a magnifier? I couldn't manage without mine now for cutting printing blocks.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your V&A visit, I got a membership card for Christmas but haven't yet used it.
x
It sounds like such an interesting course, the colours look very rich! Hope you have a great visit x
ReplyDeleteThe course sounds really interesting, lovely colours and designs.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the newlyweds, getting married in Venice sounds wonderful.
Gorgeous images, it's fascinating work isn't it?
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the bride and groom.
Beautiful paintings, Gina. Congratulations to James and Lizzie.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lady of many talents you are, I do hope you manage to continue practising this technique, the results are lovely. Cheers
ReplyDeleteI take my hat off to you for trying egg tempera. I saw a three day course somewhere recently for drawing and painting icons. I think you'd be a natural for it as you love that attention to detail which is lacking in my hands. Hope you enjoy the day at the V & A. Lucky you.
ReplyDeletePS Loved the jacket in the last post. I thought it was modelled in your front room and was a bit worried by all those bottles of whatever.... then I realised you were in a bar somewhere.... you were, weren't you?
The colours are wonderful and suit your style. It would be great to see you try an icon. who would your subject be… I wonder!
ReplyDeleteLove your Friday Five. Hope you enjoyed your day at the V&A and congrats to the newlyweds.
ReplyDeleteOh wow you've done an amazing job with the tempera! I would imagine it's very tricky to get an even finish, I know I'd find it frustratingly difficult to do! I love the pieces you've made, they're really beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOh, and congratulations to your stepson! :)
Jess xx
Hi Gina,
ReplyDeleteyour tempera paintings are exquisite, do hope you find some time to do some more. They look as though they were tremendous fun to do. The medieval feel reminds me of a denim dress I had, many years ago, that I painted with twirly leaves and flowers inspired by manuscript illuminations. Sadly I realised that the dress itself was crooked, one half seemed to be a different size to the other. No wonder it was in the sale!
I love your "finally finished" jacket as well - and yes, always beguiled by the thought that I might slightly resemble the model; ah the power of a wistful imagination!
I've been catching up on blog reading - so this is three comments in one! Love the paintings, especially the teacup which is very you - and there is so much depth in the last illuminated letter that it could be an appliqué! The cardigan looks great, and for a moment I thought that was Claudia Schiffer modelling it.
ReplyDeleteAnd for the books - I enjoyed Elizabeth is Missing too, and I have the Minaturist on my bedside table to read when I've finished The Girl on the Train - which is brill. That will eventually come your way xx
They're really pretty Gina. I've never worked with tempura, even in my art college days, but like you it's always appealed to me.
ReplyDelete