ANOTHER EGG TEMPERA

Unlike a quick sketch, each painting is a journey. I cant say this painting is finish. But one must get on with our life & other projects. After many weeks working on this new painting, I'm exhausted! Egg tempera is a very flexible medium. On the other hand, it is a strong medium. It can show its weakness quicker than almost any other. One cant really fudge it. It would be interesting to see if this image will be a popular GIFT ITEM ON ZAZZLE?

BALANCING ACT

My initial concept was to have equal balance of discipline within a sense of freedom. Right now, I'm stuck on this balancing act of abstraction vs visual reality. A little prayer while I'm painting always help...sooner or later, the painting will come together...this finish egg tempera on the left was one of my earlier attempt at learning how to use the medium.

COLORS

It's always interesting to see how colors exist in relationship to one another. As soon as I lay in the blue sky & distant green fields, the house color changed. I have to constantly ask myself," is this the right hue, next to this or that color...is the shadow dark enough to contrast with the light..." I'm sure I'm not the only artist when I get to a point when the work in progress looks like a mudpie! Yes, time for a break.

ANDREW WYETH

From years of illustration, I got into the habit of spending time with research. Depending on the assignment, I like to study specific artist, which I can apply to the job. You just never know how influences come in. For this painting, ANDREW WYETH is a major influence in how I want to reveal an American bucolic scene. Aside from his flawless egg tempera technique, he's a master at conveying a sense of place. Other contemporary egg tempera masters I love are: GAIL BUNTING & KOO SCHADLER. To see more of how contemporary artist utilize this very ancient medium, click on this LINK.

EGG TEMPERA

After painting for so many years, I'm finally comfortable with working in most medium & subjects. Whether it's a sketch or a major painting, deciding on which medium to use could make a big difference in what I'm trying to convey. This is an egg tempera painting. Egg tempera is a painting process that uses egg yolk to bind pigments. A very ancient technique, but very simple: egg yolk, water, & pigments. The egg yolk medium gives the effect of oil & watercolor. The technique of layering translucent paint creates beautiful & luminous color effects as light passes thru the many layers of color. This back & forth, back & forth is the closest I come to meditation. Painting in oil might be faster, but this property need a delicate & opalescent effect that only an egg tempera can achieve.