[lee martell]

Andrew Wyeth had something in common with the average portrait artists of the middle ages. He often used Egg Tempera paints. Egg Temperas are difficult and time consuming to work with, but the results can appear remarkably natural.

Raw egg yolk, vinegar, water and powdered pigment.
After creating an under-painting of blocks of color, he would apply layers of the egg tempera. They produce translucent glazes you would never achieve using acrylic or oils.

Egg Yolk was also used in another well known piece.
Take my word for it, you have seen this one in some manner.
“The Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli! One of my favorites of that era in that illustrative style. Done near year 1480.

[Ouchthatonehurt]

Tempera provides incredible control and detail. If you use vinegar in the tempera and have a good rabbit skin gesso base - the painting will hold color and last ages.
Wyeth was the master -both as poet and craftsman.

[Albion Wilde]

Andrew Wyeth had something in common with the average portrait artists of the middle ages. He often used Egg Tempera paints... Egg Yolk was also used in another well known piece. Take my word for it, you have seen this one in some manner. “The Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli! ... 1480.

Yes, one of the most-memed paintings ever. It's a shame, because the original is surpassingly beautiful.

“The Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli

[originalbuckeye]

Very interesting! Thank you. I only had a ‘survey’ type class in my first year in college, but I have a knowledge of art that most of my friends don’t have. Love the ‘art world’.