In this first module, you'll get to know who we are as artists and instructors, and learn why Egg Tempera is such a powerful and unique medium through a brief look at its rich history. We’ll also share tips on how to get the most out of this course, so you can build a strong foundation and progress with confidence.

We’ll walk you through all the essential supplies you’ll need to get started with egg tempera. Through an interview-style discussion, we’ll cover the best substrates, pigments, and brushes for this medium, along with how to set up your palette and workspace. You’ll also learn where to source materials and enjoy a bonus lesson on how to make your own glass palette.

This module dives into the foundational drawing process and how to prepare your artwork for egg tempera painting. You’ll learn how to transfer and trace drawings through step-by-step demos, including a main demonstration with Julio. We’ll explore how ink underpaintings can quickly establish strong values, and guide you through inking techniques with simple forms like spheres before moving on to a complete ink underpainting in two parts.

This module covers the basics of mixing egg tempera, using egg yolk as the binder. You’ll learn how to combine pigments and yolk, adjust the pigment-to-binder ratio, and work with hydrophobic pigments. We’ll explore additives like honey to adjust texture and drying speed, and teach you how to test your paint for consistency. Finally, you'll get tips on paint maintenance and troubleshooting common issues like cracking or separation.

You’ll begin the painting process by learning how to organize your palette for efficiency and establish a smooth palette workflow. We’ll start with a warm-up exercise called Color on Your Ink Spheres to get familiar with mixing and applying color. You’ll then make your first passes over ink, focusing on establishing local color using the suggested brush selection. We’ll also cover the importance of moving around the painting to maintain rhythm and water control for optimal paint consistency.

This module focuses on building midtones using glazing techniques. We’ll demonstrate creating color with transparencies and explore opalescence. The Julio demo will show how to build midtones with suggested brush selections. For more details, refer to Daniel Thompson’s book. We’ll also cover troubleshooting, like avoiding lifting or holes, and emphasize the importance of stirring—no more egg yolk!

Here we’ll focus on re-establishing values to define form and structure in your painting. You’ll learn about shape design and practical anatomy for stronger compositions. Through exercises like color blending strips and gradient circles, you’ll practice blending techniques. We’ll demonstrate bridging values and value transitions to create smooth shifts in tone. You’ll also learn when and how to use a nourishing layer, with a demo showing how to apply it for a more refined finish.

In this module, we’ll focus on the final steps of your painting. You'll learn how to assess the whole painting before adding fine finishing details. We’ll discuss making subtle value and temperature shifts to enhance the overall effect. Finally, we’ll cover how to sign your work properly to complete your masterpiece.

Finally, we’ll explore ways to protect your painting after completion. You’ll learn how to nourish and polish the surface to maintain its vibrancy. We’ll cover the use of shellac for added protection and wax for a smooth finish. Finally, we’ll demonstrate how to polish your painting for a refined, lasting look.