Gain confidence to enjoy painting with egg tempera, a medium that has endured from Pre-Renaissance to the present day.

Beginning with a short introductory talk, your course will proceed with step-by-step exercises to familiarise you with the medium. You will learn about composition, under-drawing, mixing correct proportions of pigments and egg, making form through glazing, optical mixes and layering brush strokes. A set of hand-ground pigments will be supplied for the course and a traditional gesso panel for exercises.

You will continue to use your set of mineral pigments to compose your own painting on a new gesso panel of your choice to suit your chosen image. Subject matter can be from a sketch or idea, abstract or figurative, or suggested by the tutor. You will be given group and individual tuition, with historic references throughout to enable you to produce a painting of richness and unique vibrancy.

By the end of the course, you will have knowledge of and gained familiarity with this beautiful medium. You will be given course notes and a list of suppliers, plus information on how to continue painting at home, as not too much equipment is required.

Included

The course fee includes a kit of an A5 handmade gesso panel and a set of 12 hand-ground mineral pigments per student. The course fee also covers the cost of providing materials shared amongst the group, including charcoal and distilled water.

What students need to bring

• One dozen fresh free range farmhouse eggs (not supermarket)
• Additional water jars
• Rigger brushes
• Sketching materials
• Suitable clothing

If you wish, you can bring preparatory sketches, photographs or additional subject matter. Otherwise, you can decide during the course from a choice of still life objects to inspire you.

Available to buy

Available from shop:

• A good selection of art materials, including rigger brushes and sketching materials are available.

Available from tutor:

• On this course the tutor/College will supply most of the materials. There will be an additional charge for a gessoed panel on which you will paint your finished piece. This charge should be paid to the tutor before the end of the course, by cash or BACS. More panels will be available; prices vary depending on size, from £10 to £40 per gessoed panel.

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).

Arrival day - first date of course
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration  
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm-9pm (attendance is essential)

Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am-5pm  
Morning session: 9.15am-12.45pm including coffee/tea break  
Lunch break: 12.45pm-2pm (lunch included)  
Afternoon session: 2pm-5pm including coffee/tea break  
Teaching finishes: 5pm    
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Departure day - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)  
Teaching finishes: 3pm  

Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am.
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.

Terms & Conditions