EGG TEMPERA

Egg tempera is an archaic water-based medium that dominated painting during the early Renaissance period. The process of preparing panels and grinding pigments has fascinated Wilson since he began his study of art. It is an exacting and tedious process that requires patience, science, a little magic, and a passion for the medium. Panels are primed with warm rabbit skin glue and subsequent layers of a traditional glue-whiting gesso. The gesso layers meld together and create, after sanding, a smooth ivory-like panel. Wilson then mulls dry pigments with water to create a paste, and combines this paste with a medium made of egg yolk and water. Value transitions are accomplished through cross hatching and glazing. Often 25 to 30 layers of paint are applied to create the luminous surface that has distinguished egg tempera throughout the centuries.