The traditional recipe for egg tempera paints usually includes egg yolk as a binding agent to mix with pigments. There are alternative recipes, however, that are slower to dry and are nearer to the character of oil paints. One of these is to use a whole egg (both egg yolk and egg white) and a mixture of linseed oil and turpentine.

When adding the whole egg recipe to pigment, grind the pigment directly with the emulsion medium (see grinding pigments). You can then start painting.

What follows is a brief overview of a whole egg recipe to use for egg tempera. For a more detailed summary of egg tempera, I recommend the excellent book, The Artist’s Handbook, by Ray Smith available from Amazon.

You will need:

• a fresh egg
• purified (distilled water)
• linseed oil
• genuine turpentine
• white vinegar

Where can I buy art materials and pigments online?

Dick Blick Art Materials sell a vast range of pigments in various sizes. It is an art supplies company that is based in the US.

If you order over a certain amount, shipping can be free within the US, conditions apply. Orders placed from outside the US will have a different shipping charge and may be subject to import duty. (Click on the shipping information link at the bottom of the page on Dick Blick Art Materials for details.)

If you want to cheat a bit, you can buy Sennelier Egg Tempera Binding Medium to mix with pigments. This is available from Dick Blick Art Materials. I’ve used it and it is just as effective, but beware the tuts of disapproval from egg tempera purists.

Richeson Neatness Jars & Tray are a good method of storing pigments and unused paints.

Whole egg tempera recipe, step-by-step

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Step One
Break a fresh egg into your container. I put mine through a sieve to get rid of any impurities, but you could also use a cheesecloth.

Step Two
Add equal parts linseed oil and genuine turpentine. Not too much as the recipe will be too thin.

Step Three
Add about ten drops of white vinegar. This acts as a preservative and should prevent mould. Mix up the recipe well and then seal the container with an airtight lid and keep in the refrigerator ready for use.

Other pages of interest

• You will need to use traditional gesso with egg tempera: Read more about traditional gesso
• Before adding any paint, you will need to create an underdrawing: Read more about underdrawing
• Before you can mix up your paints, you need to grind them: Read more about grinding pigments for use with egg tempera
• This is the traditional recipe for making egg tempera paints:Read more about mixing egg yolk with pigment (traditional egg tempera)
• A technique that mixes layers of egg tempera with oil paints: Read more about the Mische technique