EiTempera

EiTempera is a hybrid painting practice that integrates traditional egg tempera pigments with digital imaging techniques to produce works that combine the tactile qualities of historical tempera with the color control and reproducibility offered by modern digital processes. Proponents describe EiTempera as a synthesis rather than a replacement for either medium.

The term arose in art discourse in the early 2020s as artists explored hybrid methods that preserve an egg-based binder on panel supports while incorporating digital overlays created through calibrated color workflows. The name blends "Ei," a reference to egg in several languages, with tempera to signal continuity with the traditional technique.

Materials and process: the base layer uses ground pigments bound with egg yolk on a wooden panel. A digital color map or overlay is produced from high-resolution scans or images, then aligned with the painted surface using a light projection or transfer method. A glaze sequence and a final protective varnish complete the work. Practitioners emphasize a controlled environment and careful drying between stages to protect the organic binder.

Characteristics and conservation: EiTempera yields precise line work, soft-edge glazing, and a luminous, matte surface typical of tempera, augmented by the subtle glow of the digital layer. Conservation concerns center on egg binder sensitivity to humidity and the stability of the digital overlay, requiring interdisciplinary methods.

Applications and reception: used in contemporary painting, illustration, and educational demonstrations of hybrid media. Critics note its potential for expanded visual vocabulary while raising questions about authenticity, reproducibility, and conservation ethics.