Years ago I purchased some oil sticks to play with, not having any idea that they would lead me here, to share my encaustic experimentation with you. Searching for information about using R&F pigment sticks with encaustic, I found All Things Encaustic and I was delighted to connect with Ruth who is from Toronto—I am also in Canada, just a little distance away in Westport.
Plaster as a Suitable Surface for Encaustic
Recently I have been working with plaster on jute or burlap before adding layers of wax. In this post, I share my experimental work and process.
As I love to work with plaster and cement, I was delighted to find the book Plaster Studio by Stephanie Lee and Judy Wise. I have used some of their ideas as jumping off points for my own work.
“Plaster is a luscious, absorbent surface-comparable to the texture of an egg shell” (pg 13)
Venetian plaster
A friend recently told me about venetian plaster. This has opened up another avenue for my encaustic experimentation. Venetian plaster is a wall and ceiling finish consisting of plaster mixed with marble dust. Venetian plaster can be tinted, or colored using natural colorants and can be burnished to create a highly polished, rock-hard, marble-like finish but, when left unburnished, it has a matte finish that is rough and stone-like. [source: wikipedia]
What I love most about encaustic is the texture that can be built up in many layers. But I have also discovered that great texture can be created using a plaster on jute for a base.
My Experiments | Preparing Plaster Surfaces for Encaustic Art
Experiment One: Plaster on Jute
I spread a sheet of 6 mil plastic on my work table as the plaster can be messy. Sometimes I use a runny plaster if i am going to adhere the jute or fabric directly to a board. This photo shows this with the jute adhered with runny plaster to a board with canvas paper surface.
Experiment Two: Plaster on Burlap
This panel shows a piece of burlap adhered to hardboard with wax. The second photo shows this piece with thin plaster spread over it and some alcohol inks beginning my design. And the third photo shows a detail, look carefully and you can see the board beneath the burlap wisps.
Experiment Three: Jute & Plaster Book Cover
Jute was laid on a piece of plastic and the back area and front cover area were coated with venetian plaster with the spine left as jute, although a bit of plaster did find its way there. Then two pieces of archival mat board were glued to the other side of the plaster covers.
Experiment Four: Cracked Plaster on Burlap
This next surface will be for a painting, but here you will see only the beginning. This ground is made from plaster the consistency of heavy cream to cover one side of burlap. When it was set but not too hard, I picked it up and rolled it and folded it in several directions. I then glued it to a piece of board.
All these plaster surfaces will be worked with encaustic medium and alcohol inks.
Let’s discuss…
Have you used venetian plaster as a ground for Encaustic painting? I would love to hear from you about your experience. Have a question about preparing a plaster ground on jute or burlap? Add a comment below and I will be happy to respond.
I have been painting with encaustic for many years and still enjoy the results of this work. I moved to cold wax a couple of years ago and enjoy working with it as it is less labor intensive. However, I miss the textures and effects that are possible with the encaustic process…
Currently I am trying to produce craquelure using marble dust with cold wax and am not having any success. Any ideas?
Really interesting experimentation! I’m curious if you have also worked with Plaster Of Paris (gypsum based) versus Venetian Plaster (lime based) and, if so, do you find the process any different? Thanks for the inspiration!
I have been looking for this process!
I would like to use drop cloth as my painting surface and create a cracked look in certain areas. It would hang from a dowel rod. Do you think that would work? Also. What type of wax do you use and how many layers.
Love it!!
Danielle, I am sure you have discovered by now that wax melts at way to high a temp to disturb your work unless of course, you have a fire. It melts around 160 F.
Margaret, I have replied to your email. Essentially, though add a bit of white glue to the plaster, make sure it is runny enough to get well into the burlap or jute. Some might crack off, but not enough to worry about. If the plaster is thick you will have to “massage” it into the burlap. but runnier is better, but it might take a bit longer to set up hard. If by chance you haven’t enough plaster in the liquid, it won’t set at all so you just have to experiment to find the right ratio for your work.
Hey Georgia.
Thank you so much for your words of advice for plaster and burlap/jute. I just put down plaster of Paris on my burlap and have let it set for 10 mins before folding burlap. Plaster started to crumble off. Curious if once it is actually set after 24-48 hours?… if I have to worry of it cracking off and flaking from burlap? Thanks again Georgia
Hello! I’ve made a plaster strip sculpture of a Pokemon, and I’m hoping to use encaustic techniques to paint it. Any advice? I need it to have a smooth surface all over. How does the temperature of the room affect the wax?
Hi, I was just wondering what glue you used in Experiment 4, to stick the burlap to the board? I like the effect you have achieved with this.
adding 5-10 % white glue as part of your liquid concentration when mixing plaster works great.
i have adhered burlap to the wax board using the plaster (with glue added to mix) and it worked fine. and i have also adhered it onto a hot wax layer and then heating the burlap again on the board. if you dont want your wood to show through, use a milk paint in white as your base for your board aka primer. i often paint with the milk paint on the wood base for texture. and i also paint with the plaster mix. using a brush. on wood. the plaster is easily colored.
thanks nerissa
i am going to try the plaster sheets for great texture as you suggest.
i often just glue a piece of watercolor paper to my board before working. altho i do someitmes leave the wood for a different base color.
i do use white glue in both plaster and cement as it gives a bit of plasticity to the work.
yes, those are great ways to prepare the surface for encaustic.
thanks,
georgia
Hi Georia,
Just want to say a big thank you for your shared knowledge. Tha nks to you I have spent many happy hours creating in my shed in New Zealand.
I would like to ask your advice about mounting burlap covered in a thick layer of plaster of Paris then wax onto a canvas frame 120 cm sq.Do you think the canvas will be strong enough to support my art work? I have mounted previous work on plywood but it is extremely heavy and warps. I am about to launch my work for sale so I want to make sure it is stable.
Thank you so much
Sarah
Hi all have you ever used premade burlap boards with encaustic?
Hi Georgia. I have been using plaster with encaustic for several years. I use the pre-coated plaster/fabric strips that we used in grade school for art projects. I soak it very briefly then squeeze out the water. I use it on a rigid substrate and shape it, then allow it to dry, usually only an hour or two. It forms a great surface with texture and shape and adheres to the substrate. I use several layers of wax on it but have also tried just using a few–both work well. It’s my favorite method for creating depth and texture.
hi kay
i somehow got started with jute and just keep on with it. i wonder if you have tried the drywall tape that is sticky on one side and a grid rather than solid and is plastic. i am going to try it one of these days
good luck with your work.
ugh, i left a nice long reply but it just disappeared… oh well
yes, you can adhere the burlap or jute with either plaster or wax or glue. if i have plastered the burlap first, i will usually use glue, but a thick glue like weldbond that i can embed the plaster in and then weight down with some books overnight to dry. with raw burlap i have just used wax and so far all are fine. just make sure that the entire surface is stuck to the support.
you can use drywall compound but it will resoften with water, where as plasters won’t. once set, they are hard forever! sometimes i just add white glue to the plaster and it is stronger, venetian plaster has latex paint in it as well for a different surface. just experiment and have fun..
georgia
Hi thanks for your tips…when you adhere the coated burlap to a substrate, do you use a glue or just wax medium..can you use ordinary plaster, drywall compound, or is venetian plaster better…sorry for so many questions, but I’m going to have a go at this..
Do you have to attach jute or burlap to a board or will it be strong enough to be floated in a framed after wax is cured
i have not had any problems with the plaster or the wax coming free of the boards i use for supports.
sorry i misread your question. i would try, but i think you would have to use a fair bit of plaster backing if you did not want to attach it to a board. the plaster on burlap is fairly floppy with just the amount of plaster i use.
so i would attach to a board with the work a wee bit larger than the board and then float the board in the frame.
georgia
what kind of a board do you use and how do you hang it on the wall? Im interested in the runny plaster so you can crack it, you could also make some 3D pieces it looks like. Can’t wait to get to my studio tomorrow and try it. What glue do you use to secure it to the board?
Thank you for your inspiration!
carli bailey
Hi, carli,
well, I hope I can remember…I use either hardboard or quarter inch plywood. I use another layer of the plaster to stick the jute to the board. or else I use weldbond or gorilla glue after the jute has been crackled if I think it will stick better. Either one has worked ok for me.
either put a wire with screws on the back of the board or frame it in a floater frame. especially if i have used a wooded cradled support it is easy to finish for hanging.
you can play around with it, but plaster sets pretty quickly so sometimes I just use drywall mud altho I think plaster is much more permanent.
glad to have inspired you…feel free to ask if you need more info.
Love everything. Hope you don’t mind if I try it. Sandie
hi sandie
I recommend the book by Lee and Wise. I have tried to add my own spin to their work, and recommend that you do also.
Georgia
I can’t wait to try this. Thanks!!!
Hi there, your blog is absolutely amazing and SO helpful. I’m working on a piece I’d like to feature cracked plaster on, is it possible to image transfer on the plaster or should I put a layer or wax over the plaster and imagine transfer on that?