Ask Me Help Desk - Preparing an ostrich egg for painting

What is the best way to prepare an ostich egg for painting?

Hi, boogadee!

I know just the right person here to answer your question, and that would be jrebel7! She hasn't been around as much as she used to be in recent months, so I will let her know about your question.

Thanks!

Thank you very much! I need to know the best way to empty the egg first!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

Hi, boogadee!

I know just the right person here to answer your question, and that would be jrebel7! She hasn't been around as much as she used to be in recent months, so I will let her know about your question.

Thanks!

boogadee, I will be happy to share what information I have.

The Ostrich egg is the largest egg in the world. It can weigh up to five pounds. One Ostrich egg is equivalent to twenty-four chicken eggs. Unlike a chicken egg, an Ostrich egg is really tough. The shell is about 1/8th inch thick. It actually feels like fine ceramic and a good grade of Ostrich egg has an almost pearlized look to the finish. The eggs are made of calcium. The thick shell permits engraving which I have not yet attempted and the texture of the egg makes an interesting surface on which to paint. Each egg must be drained, (there is a soft place at the bottom of the egg and you can use a drimel tool to get a hole started to let egg drain out - a lot of people have a small tube that blasts water from water faucet into the hole and force egg out of shell this is referred to as the egg being blown out) then clean with bleach water to sanitize. The hole should not be larger than a nickel or so, perhaps smaller if you have a way of getting the egg completley cleaned out. It is good to put a solution of bleach and a bit of water in side the egg and let it stand for awhile. If you leave it too long, the shell becomes to soft. The length of time varies with size of egg but always use bleach/bleach water. An individual can purchase eggs already cleaned online and at some Ostrich farms in their area.
I have used a drimel tool to cut the egg in the shape I desire. I have made jewelry boxes and one music box, of which was not my design. I have also made lamps and painted several eggs just to sit on stands. Although the lamps are really fun, my preference is to find a nicely shaped egg, and just paint on the egg to sit on a stand. I use acrylic paint. I do not glue my Ostrich Eggs to stands because people do enjoy picking them up and looking at them closely, feeling the weight of them and just having the experience of touching an Ostrich Egg. When I paint on Emu eggs, which are smaller and are generally a dark green naturally, as opposed to the crème color of the Ostrich Egg, I do like to use a three minute epoxy to glue them to a stand. They are lighter in weight and there is more of a danger of knocking them off and they break a little easier than an Ostrich egg. If you have an Ostrich egg that is older, it sometimes loses its natural shine and pearlized look. It has more of a flat look. I like to give those a coat of Gesso and then paint on them. Covered with a coat of Polycrylic, they shine like a freshly laid egg.

My instructor, doing shows all over, does such a great number of eggs that her husband built a place for her in their barn to cut the eggs and a fan pulls the dust out of the building. She uses a drill she purchased from her dentist. Her advice to us, her students, was to always work in a well ventilated area, wear a mask at all times while there is any danger of breathing in dust from working on the egg as the dust is such a fine dust, if it gets in your lungs, can set up just like cement. I use a drimel tool, wear a mask and always work outside while a light breeze blows.

I sure do hope this information is helpful to you. Please let us know if you have further questions. There are many other artists on the site that are amazingly talented.

One more thing to mention is that the bleach water also eats the membrane (inside lining) of the egg and it does need to be removed or any segment left after draining.

Thanks, Jan!

I knew that you would respond! I'm hoping that all is well with you and yours!

Thank You so much!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrebel7

boogadee, I will be happy to share what information I have.

The Ostrich egg is the largest egg in the world. It can weigh up to five pounds. One Ostrich egg is equivalent to twenty-four chicken eggs. Unlike a chicken egg, an Ostrich egg is really tough. The shell is about 1/8th inch thick. It actually feels like fine ceramic and a good grade of Ostrich egg has an almost pearlized look to the finish. The eggs are made of calcium. The thick shell permits engraving which I have not yet attempted and the texture of the egg makes an interesting surface on which to paint. Each egg must be drained, (there is a soft place at the bottom of the egg and you can use a drimel tool to get a hole started to let egg drain out - a lot of people have a small tube that blasts water from water faucet into the hole and force egg out of shell this is referred to as the egg being blown out) then clean with bleach water to sanitize. The hole should not be larger than a nickel or so, perhaps smaller if you have a way of getting the egg completley cleaned out. It is good to put a solution of bleach and a bit of water in side the egg and let it stand for awhile. If you leave it too long, the shell becomes to soft. The length of time varies with size of egg but always use bleach/bleach water. An individual can purchase eggs already cleaned online and at some Ostrich farms in their area.
I have used a drimel tool to cut the egg in the shape I desire. I have made jewelry boxes and one music box, of which was not my design. I have also made lamps and painted several eggs just to sit on stands. Although the lamps are really fun, my preference is to find a nicely shaped egg, and just paint on the egg to sit on a stand. I use acrylic paint. I do not glue my Ostrich Eggs to stands because people do enjoy picking them up and looking at them closely, feeling the weight of them and just having the experience of touching an Ostrich Egg. When I paint on Emu eggs, which are smaller and are generally a dark green naturally, as opposed to the crème color of the Ostrich Egg, I do like to use a three minute epoxy to glue them to a stand. They are lighter in weight and there is more of a danger of knocking them off and they break a little easier than an Ostrich egg. If you have an Ostrich egg that is older, it sometimes loses its natural shine and pearlized look. It has more of a flat look. I like to give those a coat of Gesso and then paint on them. Covered with a coat of Polycrylic, they shine like a freshly laid egg.

My instructor, doing shows all over, does such a great number of eggs that her husband built a place for her in their barn to cut the eggs and a fan pulls the dust out of the building. She uses a drill she purchased from her dentist. Her advice to us, her students, was to always work in a well ventilated area, wear a mask at all times while there is any danger of breathing in dust from working on the egg as the dust is such a fine dust, if it gets in your lungs, can set up just like cement. I use a drimel tool, wear a mask and always work outside while a light breeze blows.

I sure do hope this information is helpful to you. Please let us know if you have further questions. There are many other artists on the site that are amazingly talented.

One more thing to mention is that the bleach water also eats the membrane (inside lining) of the egg and it does need to be removed or any segment left after draining.

Boogadee, you are so welcome. I hope the information was helpful. Just want you to enjoy the experience. I was at a "Fine Art Show" so the eggs and vases I make were allowed only as accent pieces but I had taken one egg on a stand. For some reason, as we were taking down the display, Bo decided he would not only have two hands full of my drawings but would grab the egg also. I turned and saw him and just thought... oh no, what is he thinking. Yep, at that time, I saw it happen. The egg flies out of his hand, straight up in the air (he has matted and framed art work in both hand and thankfully didn't let them go as well) It was like everything moved in slow motion. LOL The egg flew up, his eyes looked panic stricken. It crashed on the sidewalk and smashed to smithereens. His face told me he didn't know what to say or do... he just looked so broken, like the egg. He said, 'Oh Baby, I am so sorry. So sorry!" I laughed and said, "Ah, it's just an egg. I can paint another one!" We cleaned up the mess and he apologized for weeks. But... it was an egg after all. Lots of hours goes into all art work but not worth hurt feelings.

I had worked on an Emu Egg music box for hours upon hours, it was completed except for the lining inside still needed a bit more work. I dropped it and popped a piece out right where I had the hinge. I just went in and got a piece of broken egg, glued it to the inside, redid lining to hide inside work, repainted the area... good as new... maybe even stronger. LOL

If you use drimel tool to carve, please just use a dust mask. Have Fun!

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogadee

what is the best way to prepare an ostich egg for painting?

What kind of paint whell I use in case a light will be install inside the egg?
Thank you Shlomi

Hi, dadushlomi!

Are you meaning that you would like to install an electric light bulb inside of the egg, please?

Thanks!

Dadushlomi, I just typed a long informational note and where did it go?? Into oblivion, apparently. I apologize. I have to go out for a few minutes but when I return if you have not had more input, I will retype. So sorry it went away. BRB

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadushlomi

what kind of paint whell i use in case a light will be install inside the egg?
Thank you Shlomi

I use only acrylic paint. If you want a light to shine through, only use the paint as a wash. I often, using a dremel tool, cut out the top of the egg with a scalloped edge or as example, if painting flowers, do "cut aways" and leave area of the top shaped as leaves. On eggs that I paint more detail and paint is more opaque, I have painted the inside black, then painted over it with a glitter paint. When the lamp light is off, it shows black. When the light is on, it shows white from all the glitter (which is also just an acrylic craft paint) and gives off more light. If you have any broken pieces of egg, try a wash, then try a solid, shine a light through it. That way you can determine which effect you like most. I will be happy to post some images if you desire. Just let me know.

I purchase small one light bulb lamps at Hobby Lobby or craft stores when on sale, the drain hole in the bottom of the egg fits over the light bulb easily and sets nicely. I don't secure them as I like to change them out from time to time with different eggs.

I thought I had lost this post but all of a sudden it reappeared. LOL Anyway, as I said, if you want pics of some I have done, let me know. I will do them as time permits. Have fun! :)