Rob Milliken is a UK full time artist painting a variety of subject matter in a variety of mediums although egg tempera is his favoured.

Originally Rob painted landscapes and seascapes and from the 1980’s railway subjects in oils, watercolour and egg tempera. He was accepted as an associate member of the Guild of Railway Artists and later elected a full member. He served for many years on the guild council.

Rust, decayed wood, peeling paint are all inspiring subjects whether it be from the visits to Woodham’s, Barry or the battered sea defences on the east coast of England or derelict buildings which all became part of the repertoire. Intimate close ups entered in Rob’s works which included the stones series of paintings.

Why egg tempera?

Dealing with raw pigments gives a total insight into colours and mixing.

Egg tempera is one of the earliest painting mediums and is characterised by its pureness of colour and luminosity.

Painting with egg tempera is a demanding process. Not only does the artist have the daily ritual of making egg tempera paint from finely ground pigments, egg yolk and water but also has to prepare the support and ground on which to paint. The ground is usually a gesso prepared from hide glue and gypsum and finished to a very smooth surface.

Egg tempera is unlike any other medium. The medium is fast drying therefore blending is limited.
There is a linear quality, as opposed to a painterly quality, about egg tempera. This requires a degree of planning before putting brush to panel. The paint is slowly built up in many transparent or semi transparent layers.