Ref the AskJacksons section of this forum

Thank you Christine for acknowledging my contribution, I rarely contribute to the forum.  I completely agree with your comments and could add some more....but I won’t!

Don’t give up Christine if you just post here on the forum with your queries us hoi poli will usually endeavour to answer just as Alan kindly has.  If you look through the forum you will see that people do try to help.   I agree it’s sometimes a bit like walking through treacle...it will get better...I hope .  

Sorry Christine. The #AskJacksons was part of a magazine feature arranged by our advertising team and the agreement with Jackson's has come to an end. Had I known sooner I would have let everyone on here know that this was the case. Here is a reply from Alan Morris in case you hadn't seen it: Hi Christine,  I have limited experience of using egg Tempera (one of my works can be seen in my gallery), and have done a lot of research on the subject with a view to doing more. The general view is that egg Tempera does not adhere well to modern acrylic gesso and should not be used as a base.  Traditionally one would use a rabbit skin glue based gesso on wooden boards, however the Ampersand claybord claims to be a good choice , I have one but am yet to try it.  I have successfully used heavy weight cartridge paper but always make sure it is taped down flat and try not to bend it too much when your work is finished.  Canvas should NOT be used unless pinned or glued to a wooden panel and prepared with a suitable base. As I say, my experience is limited and most of the research I have read is quite old.  A good source of information which tries to bring tempera painting Into the modern era is “New techniques in egg Tempera “ by Robert Vickrey although this was written in the 1970’s Good luck with your efforts Alan Morris. And I shared this link an egg tempera demonstration by Robin-Lee Hall which may be of interest https://www.painters-online.co.uk/tips-techniques/egg-tempera/articles/how-to-paint-a-portrait-using-egg-tempera-by-robin-lee-hall/

Good advice there, and in the article - I speak from an entirely academic perspective though, since I don't use tempera: have read about it, and one thing I know is that it should always be painted on a rigid support. I take it that there have been some frosty scenes at The Artists Publishing Company, a certain froideur over the coffee-cake and bikkies, as mutterings can be heard along the lines of 'You might have TOLD me!'; 'I thought we were supposed to be working together!'; and 'No, you CAN'T have another hob-nob!'.   Never mind.  Dispassionate advice is always available here, and who's to say that Jacksons' was any better?  I would suggest an American site for sound information about painting materials - Google MITRA, or go to the Painting Best Practices page on Facebook, which will guide you straight there.  MITRA is a department of a major US university, and I have to say that research and information on painting is currently enormously more advanced in the USA than it is here; especially in this country, the level of expertise is nowhere near as great as it once was, thanks to the creeping power of conglomerates who will sell you virtually anything if there's a demand, with scant interest in its long-term properties.