I decided to explore methods and materials of painting used in ancient Egyptian mummy portraits. I did this because of their influence in icons later, for example the idealised faces, large eyes and robes. The ancient Egyptians were preoccupied with what happened when you die and mummification was an important ritual in the journey into the afterlife. This in turn influenced Roman sculpture where busts became more human and alive.

Also ancient Greek stories are occupied with how a hero goes on a journey to the underworld and is spiritually changed by his experience that leads him to change and lead a better life in this world.

Interestingly the ingredients used in mummy portraits are the same as those used to in mummification i.e. bees wax, honey, water and oil. I melted these ingredients into a small jar and used it as a binding medium to paint with. I used only 4 pigments; yellow ochre, red ochre, black and white to keep a simple pallet.