Techniques of the Fayum Portraits

The Fayum portraits were primarily executed using two techniques: encaustic painting and egg tempera.

• Encaustic painting involves using heated beeswax mixed with colored pigments. This method is notable for its durability and the depth of color it achieves. The encaustic technique allows for luminous, glossy surfaces and the ability to create layers and textures.

• Egg tempera involves mixing finely ground pigments with egg yolk, creating a durable matte surface ideal for fine detail and subtle color transitions. It was a widespread method before oil painting became prominent in the Renaissance.

Adapting Fayum Techniques to Modern Materials

We can replicate the essence of these ancient methods using modern, accessible materials, while retaining the timeless qualities that made the Fayum portraits so distinctive.

1. Modern Encaustic Painting: Using Beeswax and Alternatives

• Encaustic painting involves using heated beeswax mixed with colored pigments. This method is notable for its durability and the depth of color it achieves. The encaustic technique allows for luminous, glossy surfaces and the ability to create layers and textures.

• Materials: Traditional beeswax, damar resin for added durability, a heat source (such as a heat gun or hot plate), and modern pigments.

• Preparation: Start with a gesso-prepared wooden panel, such as birch plywood or medium density fiberboard (MDF). Seal the surface with a layer of chalk gesso for smoothness and absorbency.

• Method: Melt beeswax with damar resin, mix with pigments, and apply the wax using brushes or heated tools. Use a heat gun to fuse layers together and add texture.

2. Egg Tempera: Still an Accessible Medium

• Materials: Fresh egg yolk mixed with water and pigments, or ready-made egg tempera paints, applied on a gessoprepared wooden panel.

• Method: Mix the egg yolk medium with pigments to create smooth, creamy paint. Apply in thin, translucent layers, gradually building depth and adding fine details..

3. Combining Techniques: Encaustic and Egg Tempera

• Approach: Begin with an underpainting in egg tempera for detailed work, then finish with layers of encaustic to add texture and depth. This hybrid method allows for the fine detail of egg tempera combined with the richness of encaustic wax.

Conclusion: Bringing Fayum Techniques into the Modern World

The techniques used by Fayum painters over 2,000 years ago remain highly relevant today. By adapting these methods with modern materials, you can bring the timeless beauty of Fayum portraits into your own work, whether through encaustic painting or egg tempera.

These ancient methods ofer not only historical significance, but also incredible versatility, allowing artists to explore endless possibilities in recreating the luminosity, texture, and lifelike detail that define Fayum portraiture. By blending traditional techniques with modern innovations, you can preserve a rich artistic heritage and open new pathways for creative expression.

Practical Tips for Modern Artists

Here is a step-by-step tutorial on recreating the portrait of this exquisite young man.

1. Safety First: Always work in a well-ventilated area when melting wax and using pigments. Wear a mask to avoid inhaling fumes and dust.

2. Experiment with Textures: Encaustic painting allows for a variety of textures. Experiment with diferent tools and techniques to create unique efects.

3. Layering: Both encaustic and egg tempera techniques benefit from layering. Build up your painting gradually, allowing each layer to dry before adding the next.

4. Color Mixing: Modern pigments ofer a wider range of colors than those available to the Fayum painters. Experiment with mixing colors to achieve the desired hues and tones.

5. Prepare the panel: Traditionally, Fayum painters used wooden panels covered with a base layer of hide glue gesso. This can be replicated by applying a chalk paint or encaustic gesso to a wood panel.

Materials list

• I used a raw birch circular panel;

• Zecchis egg tempera paints from Florence;

• My own brand of hake brushes;

• DecoArt chalk gesso applied thinly;

• Stabilo all pencil for the drawing;

• Working on multiple panels loosens up your engagement with the wax; and

• Working on a small scale is helpful in the exploratory phase of new work.

I used egg tempera paints for the underpainting and detail work, then finished with layers of encaustic to add texture and depth.

This hybrid method allows for the fine detail of egg tempera combined with the richness of encaustic wax.

This is the final piece with encaustic wax around and over the face. I’ve also included additional paintings that use diferent materials and substrates.

Saskia, Encaustic on panel, 12 x 12 in Private Collection

Cleopatra, Encaustic on paper, 16 x 20 in Private Collection

Also featured on the front cover

This is a collection of photos from the Egyptian museum in Cairo. It is very difficult to photograph the paintings as they are protected by glass.

These are some of the painting tools used at the time.

About the Author

Lora Murphy was born in Ireland and educated in Ireland, the United States, and Italy. Lora earned honours degrees in both History of European Painting and Archaeology before going on to train as an oil painter in a traditional atelier in Florence, Italy. The discovery of encaustic changed her life, and she now works primarily in encaustic and mixed media.

As she says, "Once I tried encaustic, I was totally hooked, and I have been fortunate to be able to apply my traditional knowledge of painting to the encaustic medium.

And I found along the way that I just love teaching.

I am so inspired by watching all of my students gain so much confidence and reach new levels with their work. Even those with no experience of either encaustic or portraiture can do amazing work.”

After living and painting all over the world, Lora moved back to her Irish roots in 2018, and created a vibrant and hugely popular art school in the West of Ireland, Essence of Mulranny (EOM) Studios at Mulranny Co Mayo, where she welcomes visiting teachers and students from many countries. Lora teaches workshops in Contemporary Portraiture in Encaustic at EOM Studios and online, as well as ofering twice-yearly painting trips to Egypt and Nepal.

In 2021, Lora created the hugely popular Painting with Fire encaustic masterclass series, now in it’s fourth year.

In 2022, Lora was honored to receive the La Vendéenne Award which was established in 2012 by International Encaustic Artists to recognize artists or groups who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement and practice of encaustic art.

Lora sold her first paintings at 12-years old and has shown her work since 1985. She has exhibited widely in Ireland, Denmark, Germany, Italy, and the United States, and counts collectors from Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa.

You can view Lora’s work at www.loramurphyartist.com www.instagram.com/lora_murphy_paintings/ www.facebook.com/people/Lora-Murphy-Artist/100031771462605/ www.essenceofmulranny.com/painting-with-fire-2023-teachers/ lora-murphy