The Great Pigment experiment

Pigments and spices are measured out and sold from huge jars in the souks of Morocco

When I returned from Morocco with several packets of pigments I never imagined that I would also begin another journey of discovery, in terms of finding out what to do with them and how to paint with egg tempera. The idea of mixing up my own paints appealed to me as I’m fond of cooking, which also involves some experimentation and mixing up recipes. Not only did I discover how to create egg tempera paints, but also how to prepare a surface with gesso.

When I began the Great Pigment Experiment, I felt like a medieval alchemist mixing up potions. As my window overlooks a path where my neighbours walk by, I got some funny looks as I stood with a mask over my face, rubber gloves on, in front of a table with little pots of powder, eggs and a pestle and mortar to grind up the pigments. They’d seen me cooking up some gesso on the stove, the day before. Tis some kind of witchcraft, they must have thought.

To see how I got on with the Great Pigment Experiment, go to my web page egg tempera recipes.