THE STUDIO
JEN DELYTh
Page 3
"I am a self taught artist. I learn the best by trial and error, and letting the creative "accident" guide me along. I don't have a specific technique, and enjoy playing with different mediums from traditional egg tempera painting to contemporary digital art, from textile design to video work - to channel my inspiration out into the world"
I first began painting on hand-stretched cotton canvas – which I liked because you can paint larger, and layer over a dried underpainting.
I often painted outside in my garden because of the solvents.
I studied the “Old Masters” recipes and techniques, including using oil of lavender spike as a less toxic solvent, and mixing my own varnish and mediums.
This is a large oil painting of AWEN on stretched canvas.
However, after some time, I realized I didn’t like the solvents I needed to use…
So I began research into early painting techniques – and I began working with making my own paint with egg yolk and natural pigments.
I started this painting in Oaxaca Mexico on the Day of the Dead – buying fresh eggs from the local market – and inspired by the marigolds at all the altars honoring the ancestors.
The early Celtic Artists often used the egg white as their paint medium, on vellum (which is a finely stretched calf skin) – and on parchment paper – but I enjoy using the traditional egg yolk with pigments on a gessoed board.
Starting with a rough pencil sketch, then building up the painting with translucent layers.
I most like to use the natural pigments – earths literally dug from the ground in Italy and other places. Also ground gemstones such as the well known Lapis Lazuli – known for putting the glint in “the virgin’s robe”.
Vermillion is a traditional Celtic pigment, and I love it… but its a little toxic…
I was very worried one time when my lovely dog Tan licked off half a painting after a week of work. I was very worried for her! But she was fine. I had to start again with the painting though!
I now paint exclusively with egg tempera – a medium that dates all the way back to the ancient Egyptians.
The early Celtic Artists use the egg white on vellum – but I enjoy using the traditional egg yolk with pigments on a gessoed board.
I used to prepare my own boards with 8 thin layers of rabbit skin glue gesso – that i would boil and mix – and doesn’t smell great at first!
But now I like to buy the beautiful boards from a Russian icon painting supplies store.
Design - Publishing - Licensing
Oakland California
Ninth Wave Publishing LLC
JEN DELYTH
ARTIST, AUTHOR, DESIGNER
Since 1987, artist Jen Delyth has illustrated and designed a wide range of books, textile products, stationary.
Celtic Art Studio is home of her Celtic Mythic Line
The Horse was loved and worshipped by the Celtic people. Horses decorate bronze, gold and silver objects as creatures of grace, intelligence and beauty. Horses also serve as solar symbols, embodying the sun’s divine qualities of strength and fertility – and golden Celtic Coins were often minted with images of the Horse, and solar symbols such as the wheel..
