Explorations in Texture
An online course taught by
Ruth Maude
Artist, Blogger, Instructor
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Create unique highly textured artwork that blurs the line between painting and sculpture
When it comes to encaustic, we all know that it is easier to create a textured painting than a smooth one. In this course, you’ll discover how to create amazing texture with the encaustic drybrush technique known as accretion. We’ll capitalize on the sculptural qualities inherent in wax and intentionally create paintings with depth and dimension. With this process, you can push the limits of the wax to build up texture—finding new ways to control the medium and playing with patterning.
What will you learn in Encaustic Accretion?
- Introduction: Begin by getting to know Ruth a little better as she shares what inspires her.
- Materials & Tools: Understand what materials and tools are needed for the course before diving into the projects. Here’s an Amazon Affiliate Shopping List to get you started
- Let’s Start Creating Texture!: Get an introduction to the dry brush accretion encaustic painting method. See how the initial surface will affect the accretion layers.
- Additive Patterning: Discover several ways to add a raised, controlled, pattern on top of the wax.
- Project 1: Square Dance: This accretion painting builds up from an incised geometric line pattern.
- Project 2: By The Shore: Watch from start to finish as Ruth creates a textured abstracted landscape painting.
- Project 3: Old Growth: What happens if all of your brush strokes are in the same direction?
- Project 4: Starlings in Winter: This project starts from a stencil with all of the brushstrokes coming from the outside into the centre.
- Final Words
Who is this online course for?
This course is for artists who want to add physical texture to encaustic paintings. This course is aimed at artists who already have basic encaustic painting experience.
Ratings and Reviews
joyI took Ruth Maude's online accretion course recently and I thoroughly loved it. Ruth is a talented artist and excellent teacher. She carefully instructs students on the beautiful technique of accretion with clear, concise and detailed information and excellent demonstrations. The course is very professionally produced, and I highly recommend it. I promise, you won't be disappointed.
howardgrillI am in the middle of the course and very pleased. Very clear instructions and demonstrations. Motivates me to want to give these techniques a try! Great course.....don't think twice, just get it!
TrishLessons were easy to follow and to create later. I love this encaustic method - one of my favorites! Appreciate how Ruth shares with us how and why she changed things up. Also, Ruth's voice and manner are very pleasant. Thank you!
NancyThe course was very good, easy to follow and Ruth demonstrated different accretion techniques. Adding a transcript and CC (closed captioning) is great accessibility feature. I am glad that I signed up for this course, it gave me ideas of how to create texture that I actually haven't thought of. Love the encaustic eye dropper.
JodesterThank you Ruth I loved your course - this technique is amazing and your videos were very helpful and a pleasure to watch. I discovered a new tool - the eye dropper!
KAndriaI enjoyed the whole process and the instruction was done well throughout. I look forward to using this method within my work.
KELLYGreat variations on the applications. The different uses for heat sources/tools helpful using this painting technique
Loved the course and have returned to it again and again to refresh, as I experiment with my own works!