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technical
notes
The Handmade Paper
I start by building a wooden frame.
The Psalms Series tiles are built on 12" x 12" x 2"
frames. I also often create the base for painting by casting
paper from a plaster mold (such as in the Cover series).
I either mix the paper pulp or buy pulp
already mixed. I then form it onto the wooden frame or mold, often
adding things to the pulp such as sand or plaster which give it
different consistencies. Depending on what I have added, the texture
can become very hard and sturdy. It ends up being very tactile
often seeming like stone that has been worn away by time and erosion.
The Egg Tempera
All paint is basically pigment (different colors made from various
minerals and ores ground up into a powder). The pigment is suspended
in some type of medium allowing it to flow and bind to a surface
(oil paint usually uses linseed oil; water color uses gum arabic;
acrylics use a polymer; egg tempera uses....egg).
Yes, egg tempera actually uses egg as its
base. I use only the egg yolk which is mixed with water and then
with the pigment and... whalaa... paint. This medium is soluable
with water at first and then, as it dries over time, it becomes
"tempered" and insoluable. So, unlike water color, which
always remains soluable in water, the egg tempera develops a more
impenetrable surface over time.
Its characteristics tend to be very clear transluscent and brilliant
hues and a very beautiful ability to build up luminous layers of
color. It leans to the cooler spectrum of the color wheel and allows
for a wonderful intensity and purity.
It is a very archival
medium as evidenced in the paintings of the 14th century still in
existence today.
The Pigments
Many of the pigments I use are also traditional
of the Middle Ages such as Azurite, Lazurite and Malachite. I obtain
them in powdered form. Currently I import them from Russia but am
beginning to experiment with pigments from Japanese mines. The ore
from each part of the world has its own specific properties. I take
the powdered pigment and mix/grind/disperse it in the medium whether
that be egg tempera or oil to create my paint.
Encaustic
Encaustic painting involves melting damar crystals in bees wax and adding dry pigment. The hot wax is applied to a rigid surface and quickly hardens. Heat is then applied to the wax paint, fusing the pigment and wax. The literal meaning of the word encaustic is "burning in" which refers to this step in the process. Once the wax paint cools additional layers can be added to achieve depth and texture. Oil paints, oil pastels, dry pigments and other substances can be worked into or layered onto the wax. Each layer must be fused with the layer below. Once the surface has cooled, the paint hardens into a permanent finish that can be worked to the rich and lustrous patina.
More on caring for encaustic paintings.
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