Originally Posted by
baron12035
I simply have to paint an ostrich egg for a charity bazar.
Since I NEVER painted such an egg, I don't know what type of paint I have to use (watercolour or acrylic or oil) and whether I haveto preparethe egg's surface with any primer or similar. I think to paint either flowers or animals or maybe a landscape.
Many thanks for your advice and suggestions.
Thank you for the information. That makes it so much easier to give suggestions.
I would go to the local Hobby or Craft store, purchase a small bottle of Gesso along with your acrylic paint colors you desire. You will need such a little amount of Gesso, just enough to cover the egg with one or two thin coats to prepare the surface. If the egg is new, it will be fairly shiny and would turn out best if you use the Gesso but you could just give it a coat of white Acrylic. If it is an older egg, it will be dull and take paint easily without Gesso. I would wash the outside of the egg first with soap and water or vinegar to remove oil that might have gotten on it from your hands just in handling it. I like the Gesso because it is designed to prepare almost any surface for painting so I use it on canvases, wood and other surfaces.
I use acrylic paints. I would just purchase some 2 oz. bottles of Acrylic paints. The consistency will be fairly good to use straight out of the bottle. They are water base. They dry fast, mix easily, adhere well and give a great finish and brushes can just be cleaned with water immediately after use (I always use just a bit of soap to get all residue of paint then, rinse). If you thin the paint down with water, you can use as a wash of color, using two or three colors to give the egg a marbelized look for background and then paint your flowers or birds or landscape, whatever you choose. The bottles of paint are sometimes just fifty cents a bottle but on regular days not much more than 99 Cents a bottle. I like the brand Americana but Delta or others are just fine. 2 oz bottles.
After the paint has dried totally, I like to give it a couple of coats of a product called Polycrylic. You can purchase this in small cans. It is like the Polyurethene but made for use on acrylic paints rather than oil base like the Polyurethene. I like a high gloss but it is available in matt finish.
I hope this helps. I will check mail from time to time in case you have other questions I might help you with. If you wish, I can post a few of the eggs I have painted on this thread if you would like to see a few. Just let me know.
HAPPY PAINTING! :p