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.

28 comments:

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

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your textures and depth created with the way are wonderful!

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

    ReplyDelete
  4. 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

    ReplyDelete
  5. 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

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

      Delete
  6. 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.

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

      Delete
  7. 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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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
  8. 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 ; )

    ReplyDelete
  9. It looks beautiful, this encaustic.

    ReplyDelete
  10. 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

    ReplyDelete
  11. 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!

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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  16. 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.

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

    ReplyDelete
  18. 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

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is absolutely fabulous!!!!
    Nicole/Beadwright

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

    ReplyDelete
  21. 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

    ReplyDelete