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Is your studio so full that you can hardly work? Grab those items you’ve always intended to use but haven’t, and swap them for something you love!
Hosting an Art Supply Swap can be fun and easy, and I’ve got a few suggestions below. I hosted one recently and not only did we clean out our studios, but we all went home with new inspiration and made some of new friends in the process. Here’s are some tips for hosting your own event.
Keep it simple. The first time I tried this I only invited a few good friends so we could figure out the best way for everyone to get something they really wanted. This works best with friends, but if you invite strangers too you’ll need a few rules. If it’s your first try, keep your guest list small.
Be specific. Be clear about the materials you’ll accept. I said: “Please only bring quality supplies in good condition so that everyone can go home with something inspiring” and everyone brought really interesting materials, especially great art books.
I also made clear that Read the rest of this entry »
I’ve taught encaustic workshops for many years
using pancake griddles as the hot palettes, so I’ve become pretty opinionated about the type I like. I have a wonderful R&F Paints heated palette which I love, but since most students won’t be able to get that right away I like to teach with what they’re likely to have at home.
My favorite griddle brands are Rival and Presto because they last for years and offer fairly even heat which is important when painting with wax. I was almost tempted this time by another brand offering a white ceramic surface which would be great for mixing colors, but the reviews were not terrific, specifically mentioning uneven heat. So off I went to get my new griddles. It was a pretty funny trip because you get some strange looks at the store when you buy pancake griddles in bulk!
I was disappointed not to find the type I love but then I realized I had stumbled upon something even better: a square griddle (easier to reach everything if you’re shorter like me or can’t stand while you paint) with a tiny drainage area (which keeps any wax you’re mixing on the palette from falling into the drain) and a warming tray attachment that can be removed and replaced with a wooden dowel to create a handy paintbrush holder.
I’ve just replaced all of my griddles with this style for my upcoming classes, so I’m excited to try them out!
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Linda Robertson is the author of the Embracing Encaustic Book series and she offers live encaustic workshops in her Portland, Oregon studio as well as online encaustic classes.
