Thursday, February 9, 2012

Slowing Down with Encaustic Painting

There's something really soothing about working with encaustics. You need to slow down, wait for the wax to melt, stir the medium, fuse the layers, and be sure not to burn yourself or start any fires! I'm taking an introduction to encaustic painting class over the next two months. Today, in class, we got to play and experiment. I'm pretty happy with how this little piece I did in class turned out.


I used a stencil for the leaf design, along with plenty of incising and oil paint to create other lines.


I am not completely happy with the photos here of my work, though. I haven't figured out how to get rid of the glare from the wax. That's why I have the two pictures here, and yet I'm not completely happy with either one of them. Photography is not my forte! I will need to learn more about this if I continue working with wax in my art.
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28 comments:

  1. Daniele ValoisFebruary 9, 2012 at 9:54 PM

    GORGEOUS!!!

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  2. Ayala ArtFebruary 9, 2012 at 10:41 PM

    This is one thing I still have to try.. Your piece is beautiful!

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  3. Apni AvaniFebruary 10, 2012 at 3:42 AM

    Wow...beautiful!!

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  4. Carolyn DubeFebruary 10, 2012 at 5:15 AM

    Your textures and depth created with the way are wonderful!

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  5. YvonneFebruary 10, 2012 at 6:35 AM

    Love it. Encaustics is something I haven't tried y et.

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  6. SHERI COOKFebruary 10, 2012 at 8:02 AM

    It's wonderful. I hope the class inspires many more beautiful works for you and us to see!
    Happy PPF!
    Sheri Cook
    HAPPY HORSE STUDIO

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  7. AbelaFebruary 10, 2012 at 8:23 AM

    I like the work.
    Put an umbrella on the top of the work before you do the picture, you'll see how it improves the result. Saludos

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    Replies
    1. DebbieFebruary 10, 2012 at 9:46 AM

      Thanks for the great suggestion. i will definitely give that a try!

      Delete
  8. EVAFebruary 10, 2012 at 8:47 AM

    It's beautiful!

    I guess the best way to learn encaustics is in a class - it sounds so challenging! You are doing a marvellous job.

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    Replies
    1. DebbieFebruary 11, 2012 at 9:22 AM

      There are some good books, but I think it's really helpful to have someone demonstrate the technique.

      Delete
  9. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2012 at 8:57 AM

    Your encaustic painting is just beautiful! I have always wanted to learn this medium myself. On your photography: make sure you have two lights of the same wattage angled toward your piece at 45 degrees and put your camera setting on Tungsten light for the white balance. Make sure you use a tripod and have your camera exactly perpendicular to your piece. But what you did is looking good. We totally get the effect. I love it!

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    Replies
    1. DebbieFebruary 10, 2012 at 9:48 AM

      Thank you for the information. I think I need to get my husband to help me. He's really good at photography, but very busy!

      Delete
  10. AnnabelleFebruary 10, 2012 at 9:33 AM

    What a lovely, lovely piece. I haven't as yet tried encaustic wax but so want to now.

    As for taking better pics, I'm still learning ; )

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  11. ChristineFebruary 10, 2012 at 9:54 AM

    It looks beautiful, this encaustic.

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  12. Catherine DentonFebruary 10, 2012 at 10:37 AM

    Oh I love the gold in the leaves and all the lines. It has an ancient feel to it. Encaustic sounds like something I'll need to add to my To-Learn list.

    I'm not a photographer either but sometimes I'll use the Discreet mode to keep the flash off and get a better shot without the glare. Your husband probably knows better how to do that though.
    Catherine Denton

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  13. NordljusFebruary 10, 2012 at 1:10 PM

    Beautiful piece! Love the colours and the composition. I've never tried encaustics (far too afraid of setting the house on fire), but it really looks good! Happy PPF!

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  14. carlareyFebruary 10, 2012 at 1:21 PM

    Beautiful! It's so wonderfully textured I wouldn't be able to resist touching it.

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  15. Alicia CFebruary 10, 2012 at 3:29 PM

    encaustics are wonderful and this is one example of why :D

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  16. GlorV1February 10, 2012 at 5:17 PM

    Oh I love this. Lots of texture. I think you are doing a great job. Keep it up. Looks great. happy PPF!

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  17. Alexandra MacVeanFebruary 10, 2012 at 6:31 PM

    I've never attempted encaustic painting. This is beautiful. I love the bronze/gold look. Wow! :)

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  18. Šolanje na domu-WaldorfFebruary 11, 2012 at 2:51 AM

    Looks absolutely fantastic! :)

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  19. froebelsternchenFebruary 11, 2012 at 8:03 AM

    great texture!

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  20. UnknownFebruary 11, 2012 at 8:22 AM

    Oh my, this is gorgeous. So fun to learn new techniques and go deeper. :) I have trouble with some of my photos too, but don't want to take the time away from painting to learn more, lol.

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  21. KristinFebruary 11, 2012 at 12:20 PM

    Absolutely Gorgeous! What beautiful color and texture - Love it, xo

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  22. *jean*February 11, 2012 at 2:30 PM

    sometimes it helps to tip the work so it doesn't reflect the surface....umbrella is a good idea also...love the wonderful textures, i think your photos look pretty good! happy PPF

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  23. DVArtistFebruary 12, 2012 at 7:34 AM

    This is absolutely fabulous!!!!
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  24. SunshineshelleFebruary 12, 2012 at 3:39 PM

    Totally rich & decadent, love the feel of this work you have created, fantastic texture too!

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  25. EllieFebruary 14, 2012 at 7:09 AM

    This looks fantastic! I have always wanted to try encaustic. I missed a class not long ago cause I had to work and I was rather annoyed cause it looks like fun

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