Embedded Leaf Encaustic

I'm just loving encaustic and am having so much fun trying new things.  I started this one a few weeks ago and spent a good amount of time figuring the next steps because I didn't want to mess up the leaf.  When I found it, it was still a bit supple because of the gentle rain, so I patted it dry and left it in a safe place where the cats couldn't find it!  Just as it was drying, but not ready to fall apart, I started the painting.

It's 8"x8" on birch.  I did a layer of plain medium over the birch followed by a glaze layer using medium mixed with the beautiful Manganese Blue Hue pigment stick from R&F Paints.  Then I did a shellac burn on part of the board, leaving the space for the leaf.  I embedded the leaf and did another shellac burn.  I love the way parts of the birch and the first shellac burn can be seen through the wax.

R&F Mini-Encaustic Workshop

I had the pleasure of attending the Mini-Encaustic Workshop at R&F Paints in Kingston, NY last weekend.  It's a really great intro to encaustics.  We began with a tour of R&F, which included the history of encaustics (using this cool timeline they have on the wall), a quick look at the gallery as they were setting up for an opening that night, then off to the factory.  It was really interesting seeing how the paints are made.  All R&F paints are handmade and we saw molds of various encaustics setting up.  It's all in one big room with a smaller side room used for handling the pigments.  Next was into the workshop room, which adjoins the factory room.

The workshop room has several stations (2 per table) that each has a palette especially for encuastics, heat gun and large workspace.  In the back of the room there are 2 stations that have electric frying pans full of encaustic medium and heat guns.  Really nice for laying down the first layers.  The ventilation was excellent.  

Our workshop leader (she didn't mention her name) took us through the safety issues.  I appreciated her very thorough presentation and she had some good, helpful tips.  She then demonstrated the basics and did some transfers as well.  Then it was off to our stations to start playing.

It was so much fun being able to try all those colors I've been drooling over!  I've added a few more to my must have someday list.  I didn't finish any projects because I was playing too much, but that's ok.....it was my intention!  I really loved the palette, especially working on the surface.  It was so smooth and was wonderful to mix on.   It's not cheap, so it's on my dream list.  For now my setup will work just fine. I ended the day by purchasing the raw materials to make my own medium, some tools and oil sticks.

On my way out, I met Richard (RF), who founded the company.  He's a delightful man and I could see why the atmosphere there is the way it is, relaxed and friendly and not at all intimidating. I highly recommend the workshop to anyone who wants to give encaustics a try.  But be careful.....you'll get hooked!!!

My latest encaustics....

I'm taking the workshop tomorrow!!!  Yippie!!!  While I'm at R&F, I'll be getting some raw materials to make my own medium (cheaper).  I had just a little left so I worked on these today. Both are 8"x8" on birch.  The first one has some oil stick and the second one has a shellac burn.

4 Encaustics

I'm really loving this medium. The possibilities seem endless! I particularly love the way the colors blend as I fuse the wax. Such wonderful surprises.

I'm finding that I like the R&F brand of paints and medium more than the Enkaustikos...these are the only two I've tried so far. The R&F has a wonderful smooth consistency and seems to not harden quite as fast, which give me seconds more working time. Might not seem like much but it really does impact how the wax goes down. I've also found that they blend quite differently. I find the R&F more workable. We'll see if I still feel the same way after the workshop next weekend.

Here are my most recent paintings that I think are finished. The first two have shellac burns. They create some wonderful textures.

9 WIPs

Well I'm just having too much fun! Tried some shellac burns tonight. Oh how cool! You dab the shellac onto the board that has some encaustic medium alone or medium and paint, then set it on fire! The results are not real predictable and really fantastic. Here's a shot of the 9 boards I'm working on now....some with shellac burns and some without. And the other pic is of my griddle with my tins full of encaustic medium and paint.

My first REAL Encaustics!!!!!

I've been in quite an art funk lately. Haven't posted here in 2 months. But all that time, I've been really looking forward to the Mini Encaustic Workshop I'm taking later this month at R&F Paints in Kingston, NY.
I've been gradually gathering my supplies and keeping my nose buried in my encaustic books, planning to start after the workshop. Today decided that I just couldn't wait anymore and had to get my hands in the wax! What fun!!! Perfect medium for the texture junkie I am! LOL! I've got tons to learn and can't wait until the workshop to be able to ask all my questions.

So here they are! My first 3 real encaustics! Yippie!!! The square ones are on 8"x8" birch panels. The other one is on 5"x7" clayboard. In addition to the encaustic paints, I used oil sticks on all of them, photo transfers on the first and second (photographs compliments of my sister, photographer Roberta Fair), and fabric stips on the third one. Can't wait to do more!!!