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Hello,
Just wanted to say hello and thank you for such a wonderful online resource for encaustics. I’ve learned so much over the years by reading your blog. Thank you for all that you do.
Wow! I’m really excited.
I was really getting into encaustic when I had to close my studio and move. That was longer ago than I care to remember!
Please put me on your email list. I look forward to catching back up and learning more.
Thank you.
I am a frequent commenter. I used to blog back in those days, so it’s still in me to comment.
Please, what type of glue do you suggest to use for a somewhat heavy metal object that cannot be inbedded in the wax ? Thank you! Alison
Thanks for the great info. I live in Ohio. I have tried finding the BernzOmatic ts1500 to no avail. I also heard that the Iwatani butane torch works well, but apparently the new ones available are unreliable. I would really like to try a torch for fusing. Do you have any alternative suggestions? Thanks!
The BernzOmatic ts1500 has been discontinued. I do use the Iwatani and I like it – I bought it in November 2018 and I haven’t had any problems with it. I recommend that you give it a try. https://amzn.to/2ArgGws
Does anyone know if after I applied a thin layer of dorlands cold wax, if I can go over it with a hot wax?
I’ve been searching for a larger griddle for my encaustics. I have been using a non-stick (black) presto for years. I think the R&F griddles are too small but like the aluminum surface. I am considering a professional Stainless Steel griddle which costs just a little more than the R&F.
Has anyone else tried working on a stainless surface?
Thanks, AndreaI just wanted to say “Hello” and let you know that your blog is great. It is a wonderful resource to share with new encaustic artists. I live in Wales in the UK and have been working in encaustic for many years and I love the versatility of the medium. Every time I visit my studio I am still intrigued by the process and even now still love to experiment. Encaustic is so exciting I am hooked for life. I have sold my work internationally and also run workshops on a one to one basis or for small groups.
Hello, I ve have been using encaustic wax for over a year. I use pan pastels which I seal with a blow torch but the powder can easily smear. Is there a fixative I can use to keep the pan pastel sealed in?
Hello,
I’m attempting to get some advice/feedback from one of you who may be interested in consulting with me on the feasibility of using encaustic on my handmade paper. I’m a papermaker living in Napa and am interested in augmenting my work with wax. I am not attempting to take advantage of anyone and am willing to pay a consulting fee for your time and expertise.Hi Gregory,
Check out Paula Roland – https://paularoland.com/ she has a DVD and also teaches workshops. She’s the one to learn this from.
A retired artist has given a giant box of new karat liqua bottles, and I have zero experience. I paint on canvas, sometimes oil, more often acrylics and watercolor, and I’m wondering if I can easily incorporate encaustic into my normal work. I’m guessing I have 70-90 bottles, most unopened, sure hate to just let it set.
I’ve never heard of Staedtler Karat Liqua but I Googled it. They are watersoluble liquid wax paint. They may be similar to Cuni or Ceracolors. Have a look at this post – https://allthingsencaustic.com/ceracolors/
I have to say that this site is beyond excellence. Typically to get this degree of information of this high standard, one is expected to pay a fortune. This site is eye candy and a wealth of inspiration.
Let me also say that I have very high standards, and too often, hard to please – so please know that you give me so much pleasure.
Keep up the great work and I’ll keep dreaming of arriving at a time when my skills satisfy my curiousity. If I can ever by of assistance, I am at your disposal.
Well done to you.Sorry Brian I have no plans to add a forum. It would be too much to moderate. There are so many fabulous discussions happening in Facebook groups. I suggest that you join groups such as https://www.facebook.com/groups/encaustic/ or https://www.facebook.com/groups/4385626145/
I live in tropical Far North Queensland, Australia, and one problem we have around here is a wax moth which finds beeswax delicious. It leaves little trails on art work, and can destroy one’s stash of wax if not well sealed. I’m reluctant to sell work that may be eaten. My bee man suggested adding a few drops of tea-tree, wintergreen, or other aromatic oil to deter them – does anyone have suggestions?
I’m a beginner, but already hooked. Fantastic to find so much information in one place. So much to learn.
Most of the time, I’m a textile artist doing hand-dyed cloth and making clothing.
I want to do some impressions in the surface of work. Unfortunately I’ve noticed that many times the medium pulls up when I remove the item in this case a pine cone. Does anyone have an insight on a something I can use to spray or brush onto it (pinecone) or other natural material, that will keep the wax from adhering to the surface?
Could I just rub coconut oil on it?Thanks!
Exactly what brand of Venetian Plaster is recommended as an alternative to encaustic gesso? And any other suggestions about using it?
Can you please respond to my email, not certain I’ll get the info through this site.Behr and Valspar are the brands mentioned in the post – https://allthingsencaustic.com/venetian-plaster/
Hi Folks, I’m wondering if anyone has “coloured” Venetian plaster as a base for encaustics and if so with what, I’m thinking pigments.
Thank you ahead of time for any input.
Cheers
FrancescaAlthough I am just starting out, like working big (at least 24″ x 18″) possibly bigger
What heating box, element etc. would accommodate a larger plate and where are these available from?
It doesn’t look as if large heating plates are available in Canada in which case I would order from the USAHi, I’m a photo encaustic artist. I’ve been referring to All Things Encaustic for a while now for instruction and inspiration. I love it here.
Tons of books on encaustic, but none devoted strictly to phot-encaustic that I can find. Opportunity?? YouTube is great, but being able to refer to the printed word is invaluable. Glad I found you!
Hi Bill,
Nothing compares to a great workshop. I’m not sure where you are located, but perhaps you can plan a vacation to Toronto and take a workshop with Tania. https://waxworksencaustics.com/encaustic-workshops/
I find that I am fascinated and obsessed with wax and all it leads to. What a wonderful way to express oneself! So happy to have found this site to help me on my path
I would like to know if I can use encaustic wax/technique over a previously varnished piece ? I am working on birch board and with acrylics. Thanks nay help would be appreciated
Hi Karen,
You can check the suitability of a substrate by doing a freezer test. The steps can be found here – https://allthingsencaustic.com/encaustic-faq/
For encaustic painting a substrate should be absorbent. You can read more here about choosing a substrate for encaustic painting.
This document from R&F will further answer your questions.
I hope that this helps.
I’m new to Encaustic painting and I’m fascinated by it. Would like more or any new information about it. I’m doing paintings and came to this site to learn how to frame or not to frame.
Thank you,
CandaceHi,
I have taken a workshop to learn encaustic with photographs but have many questions now that I am working on my own. This blog sounds like the perfect place to connect with other artists with questions and answers!I am just starting on a journey of discovery about encaustic painting. I live in Natal S. Africa.
Happy Thanksgiving, 2016. I recently discovered your site and I am enjoying and learning.
I am, Dee Gutowski-Smith in Johannesburg, Michigan.I have been searching all over for a place to find mentors in Encaustics. This seems to be the most comprehensive place I have found so far. I’m a high school art teacher and I have been teaching myself this new media. I plan to encorporate it into my classroom. Any suggestions from the experts here will be greatly appreciated.
Hi Noel,
Sorry for the late reply. There are a number of active Facebook groups where you can connect with artists. https://www.facebook.com/groups/4385626145/ and https://www.facebook.com/groups/encaustic/
I’m so happy to have found this blog. I just completed a ‘three-day intensive’ workshop at R&F Paints in Kingston, NY. What an experience! I’m a photographer, and am interested in learning techniques that will help me to incorporate my work into encaustic pieces!
Welcome to All Things Encaustic, Dot. Thanks for commenting. Here are a few posts that may interest you as a photographer https://allthingsencaustic.com/category/photo-encaustic/
Been using R& F pigments sticks and love them. I want to mix my own colors using dry pigment and medium. Looking for suggestions on brands of dry pigments that have been successful for you.
Hi Susan, check out the post I just published today about Pearl EX powders. https://allthingsencaustic.com/pearl-ex-pigment-powder/
oh how wonderful to find you all. I stumbled upon encaustic a few years ago and absolutely love it. I really let the energy move the wax to wherever it wants to go. Lincoln – UK
I am an encaustic & mixed media artist in the UK. So envious of all the products and workshops available in the US, it is still a relatively new medium it would seem in England. Looking forward to following the blog.
Just wanted to say hi. I live in Burnaby ( next to Vancouver) British Columbia canada . Am interested with linking up with people around the world doing this kind of work. I follow a number of people from the states who do outstanding work.. I realised I better up date my page in case some one wants to see my work . Well have a good day. look forward to connecting.
Very happy to have found this blog! I am an encaustic painter in PA relatively new to the medium (2 years).
Lovely to find you here, I have been working with Encaustic Wax for just over eight years now, I also teach workshops from my Studio not far from the Jurassic coastline of Lyme Regis, here in UK, I am currently setting up my new Studio to accommodate larger groups. I am looking forward to reading this blog ….you can never stop learning….
I am here for inspiration, answers, and instruction. I just ordered an encaustic kit this morning.
The muse flew in with encaustic medium and taken up permanent residence. I am joining this community to learn more about the ways of other encaustic artists.
Re: Primers for use under encaustic and freeze tests.
I’m new to encaustic work. I’ve been using quarter inch MDF board and priming it with “Z Primer”, an oil based flat white primer. But today I put a piece of work in the freezer for about 30 minutes and the encaustic began to crack and separate from the board. Yikes! My medium is 85% beeswax and 15% Damar. Have others experienced failure of adhesion in freeze tests? What primers (or no-primer) do not fail under these conditions?
And, another questions; some of my works develop a cloudiness and others do not. What’s going on here? Same number of layers, same batch of medium…?Cloudiness can be the medium formula I found straining though cheese cloth helps and R & F has a great granular medium that is truly clear.
Most likely what’s occurring with the cloudiness is “bloom”. It’s essentially microscopic air bubbles coming to the surface which is part of encaustic paint’s curing process. Generally speaking, this will happen anywhere from several weeks to several months after you complete a painting. All you need to do is buff it with a soft cloth to reveal the lustre of the damar in the wax. Eventually the bloom will cease after about a year and the painting will only need to be dusted occasionally.
I include a care sheet with every painting I sell that talks about this so that clients know what to expect. It’s just a natural part of the process.
cloudiness can come from pollen in the beeswax. If you can remove it by rubbing surface with a soft cloth, its pollen coming to the surface. Check with Richard Frumess, owner of R&F Hand made paints – he’s the expert on freezing, cracking, etc, he has done many tests and experiments with encaustic paint, medium and has invented a primer to go under encaustic.
So thrilled to find this blog! I am an encaustic instructor and artist in the Seattle, WA area.
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