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Question asked 2017-09-19 19:10:46 ...
Most recent comment 2017-09-20 16:11:02
Egg Tempera
I'm planning some paintings in tempera grassa. I've
worked before in the medium, using an emulsion of egg yolk and
sun-thickened linseed, almost equal parts each but a bit more yolk
so it's water-soluble. The paint had good working properties, but
I'd like a bit more hardness and shine, as one would get by adding dammar
(which many tempera grassa recipes call for) but which I don't want to add
(because of the negative attributes of dammar). Is there another resin I
could incorporate for a similar affect? Would any of the modern
synthetic resins be a possibility?
Thanks,
Koo Schadler
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Moderator Answer
(brian baade)
Hi Koo
I would not use any of the synthetic resins used in conservation for this
purpose, even those known to be compatible with oils. The problem is that their
virtue (similar solubility after aging) is their real deficit in this instance.
Have you experimented with alkyd mediums for this purpose? I have not performed
these tests nor read about any studies, but they would seem a logical
replacement. The stability and insolubility of these resins would be greatly
appreciated if they work for your technique. In lieu of this and if you really
desire the handling and hardness of a resin, use dammar or perhaps even a true
copal medium if you have some on hand. The copal will yellow and become more brittle
but it does become less and less soluble over time.
No matter what, and as always, please record you medium use on the back of
your artwork ;)
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