Vietnamese Eggshell Painting

The photograph at the left is a painting made with eggshells. Yes eggshells! It's not a photograph. This effect is acheived by building up several layers of black lacquer on a board.

An image can be transferred from a photo in chalk and then carved out. Broken eggshells are inlaid and clear lacquer is built up on top to preserve the image. The effect is also sometimes achieved with seashells and mother-of-pearl.

The first painting I ever saw like this was on the wall of an adoption agency. I asked the director where she got the beautiful photo and she explained the entire process to me. The work was so fine, that even up close it was hard to tell that it wasn't a fine art photograph. Absolutely beautiful.

You can try something simpler with your children by painting a board black, tracing out a simple picture and gluing on crushed eggshell. Try a silhouette of something in nature, or a silhouette of a family member... Make sure you varnish the top very well to preserve it for years to come!

Enjoy!

Blessings,

Nissa