This workshop photos page is where I’ll post images from my various online workshops as well as those held in my private studio in Portland, Oregon. You can always view my upcoming Oregon workshops on my web site or the online workshop schedule at RobertsonWorkshops.com.
Online Workshops
My online video workshops let me join you in your studio to help you learn encaustic. Work at your own pace, get personalized instruction, and interact with a community of like-minded artists.
Workshops in My Oregon Studio
Encaustic Painting & Collage
No painting or drawing experience is necessary for this beginning encaustic class that covers both painting and collage with wax. Encaustic is one of the oldest forms of painting, with paint made from pure pigment mixed with wax and resin. The mixture is applied hot, then reheated to fuse the layers together. We’ll start fusing using a heat gun, but the use of an iron and a small torch will also be covered. You’ll be amazed at how simple it is to collage with wax instead of glue to incorporate papers, fabric and dried plants. The molten nature of the medium also lends itself to texturing and carving the wax. View Class Schedule
I’ll demonstrate step-by-step techniques involving painting, collage, using several different brands of premium paints in an assortment of vivid colors. I’ll guide you through applying the wax without air bubbles to get a smooth finish but also how to add texture where you want it with a variety of tools. Don’t worry if you aren’t a painter. I’ll have lots of collage materials available for you to play with, and you can work in any style you choose. This workshop will offer you an expanded visual language plus information on supply sources and safe studio set-up methods for further experimentation.
Students can try heat guns and propane torches to get different effects when fusing their wax.
Even simple compositions can be stunning using basic skills in your first class.
Encaustic & Photography
Photographers seem especially drawn to working with wax because of the variety of ways their images can be reborn in a new medium. I should know, I was originally trained as a photographer and here I am working in encaustic all these years later.
This all level class will be dedicated to the variety of ways your images can included with encaustic using several collage techniques and even learning to pour wax onto your work instead of using a brush. You’ll also learn to transfer images directly on to the wax for a beautifully rustic effect. This class combines parts of several of my other classes to cater especially to photographers. You’ll use a heat gun, a tacking iron and a propane torch to fuse your wax depending on the requirements of each technique. View Class Schedule
The building and boats in this photograph were hand colored before waxing and the sky was created using pastels. These are just a couple of the methods you’ll learn in this creative class.
Another popular technique we’ll cover is pouring the wax over a photograph for a thick, dreamy look. It’s quick and very effective, but you need to know a few technical tips to get the wax to say in place.
Mixing Your Own Encaustic Paint
The expense of ready-made encaustic paints can be prohibitive, but it ensures evenness of color and consistency. It is also easy to make your own paint using beeswax, resin and pigment and my Mixing Your Own encaustic Paint class will make it quick and easy for you. Take a look at these photos from a recent class.
See more class images or visit my web site for upcoming class schedules.
Intermediate Workshops
The work above was made by one of my students in a Wax Transfers class
My Shellac Finish class is popular for the unique organic look you can get with a resist.
With my Beautiful Backgrounds class you add texture and color to panels before they are waxed
See more class images or visit my web site for upcoming class schedules.
27 comments
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March 3, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Just Added: Workshops Page « Embracing Encaustic
[…] View Workshop Photos […]
July 4, 2008 at 7:52 am
jess russell
I am a photographic artist and wonder if encaustic could be used to paint over a picture on photo paper or canvas photo paper? Is there a clear encaustic that you could see thru…?I am president of the Greenville, Tx. Art League. Please reply to my email…
July 4, 2008 at 6:05 pm
embracingencaustic
Hi Jess, Yes, you can use clear encaustic medium, which is a mixture of damar resin and beeswax, over photographs printed in paper as long as it’s not glossy. The paper you use has to be able to absorb the wax. You can get all of the basic info on how work with encaustic medium and also how to mix your own in my book, Embracing Encaustic. It will give you step by step instructions on collaging photographs with wax and an easy recipe for mixing encaustic medium. You’ll also get instructions on how to make photographic image transfers directly onto wax. To purchase my book go to http://www.embracingencaustic.com. Thanks, Linda
July 5, 2008 at 4:36 pm
marymcsweeney
hi linda i just want to say thank you for sharing your work with me .i guess il have to keep practing untill i can come to america to meet you .once again thank you mary mcsweeney (ireland)
July 5, 2008 at 10:25 pm
embracingencaustic
Thanks so much Mary. If you are ever in Portland please do look me up!
Take care,
Linda
February 6, 2009 at 11:41 am
Judith Witt-Sanders
Are you offering any beginner workshops in either the Carmel area or the Bay area in 2009?
February 10, 2009 at 7:06 pm
embracingencaustic
I’m not offering any workshops in those areas yet, but if you’d like to be notified if I do just join my email list at http://www.lindawomack.com for updates.
March 9, 2009 at 11:23 pm
Melissa
Hello Linda,
I am trying to complete a project for a class in graduate school (in Social Work!). I wanted to affix a couple news paper pictures to an oil painting I made and then add some writing and natural elements (feathers, seeds, etc.) Could I use some form of an encaustic medium/beeswax to make this work? It seems from your post reply above that my newspaper picture will probably be too thin and soak up the oils too much. Just not sure what to do. I am going to make my way to an art store this week, but I look your website and love the idea of including this technique if possible.
Thanks!
Melissa
March 17, 2009 at 9:21 pm
embracingencaustic
Hi Melissa, You’re covering a lot of techniques here for someone who isn’t pursuing art as a career! I can tell you the newspaper will be come transparent using wax so you’ll see what’s on both sides of it. Wax will work well with the feathers and seeds, but if the oil painting is completely dry already the wax could have trouble adhering well to a smooth surface. If it’s textured you’re probably fine. My best suggesting is to give it a try. That’s how I’ve learned what I know so far…Good luck! Linda
April 6, 2009 at 11:15 am
Donna
Hi Linda
Just came across your website and book, very much love your sharing attitude with this wonderful medium(s). I am transfering skills from mixed media to encaustic, and am still wondering whether I could layer hot wax over acrylic and collage. Anything I could coat it with so it adhear better?
Thanks Donna
April 16, 2009 at 4:00 pm
embracingencaustic
Hi Donna,
sorry, as you’ll find in posts across my site I don’t suggest mixing acrylic and wax. You can layer wax on top of collage as long as the paper is thick enough so the wax doesn’t contact the glue. The problem is that if it doesn’t adhere well enough you might not know it for over a year as the wax cures and starts to lift off of the collage. Of course if you are doing work just for yourself give it a try with anything you want! I just have to be very careful because I sell my work. Good luck with it and have fun. Linda
November 16, 2010 at 9:16 am
Jude Lobe
Hi Linda, I’m going to try encaustics and checking out griddles. There is a cheap one for $19.99 (kitchen selectives little griddle at Wal-Mart), but the temp control is Low, Med and High. Do I have to be concerned with the temp? Should I buy one that can be manually set?
Thanks,
Love your site.
Let me know if you’d like to do a workshop near Chapel Hill, NC. I know a place to host it. My friend with my design help is going to host workshops at her home which has a workshop outside and beautiful garden patio for outside lectures.
Jude
December 8, 2010 at 5:45 pm
embracingencaustic
Hi Jude, Sorry for the late reply but I didn’t see you message for some reason. You do need to be able to tell what temperature your griddle is on, but you can do that either with a built in thermostat or buy an thermometer that sits on the surface of the griddle. Either way keep you temperature at around 200 degrees F. R&F paints has a nice one here: http://www.rfpaints.com/ (search for thermometer).
Regarding Chapel Hill, I might be interested in your friends space, but it all hinges on if there’s enough power. I need one 15 amp (or more) circuit for every two students. If that is available and you’d like to talk more let me know. Either way, good luck with your workshops and thanks for thinking of me! Linda
September 2, 2011 at 7:07 pm
Jon Kolkin
I live in Raleigh and am a fine art photographer. I am interested to know if encaustics can be used to “protect” a photograph that is printed digitally on matt rag paper while preserving the fine details in the photograph archivally with no yellowing over time. If it would not work do you have other suggestions? If so and if you want to do a workshop near Chapel Hill with Jude then I might be interested in coming since Raleigh & Chapel Hill are 30 minutes apart. thank you. Jon Kolkin
September 5, 2011 at 9:33 pm
embracingencaustic
Hi Jon, Wax works great on photographs but will always obscure some fine details. It will protect the photo and won’t yellow over time if you apply it correctly so you might have to try it to see if you like it well enough. I’m taking a year off from traveling and teaching to make my own paintings, but in the meantime I’m offering online classes here: http://www.womackworkshops.com . If you’d prefer a class in person try http://www.MaryFarmer.com in Asheville. If that’s too far she might know of someone else closer. Good luck!
October 9, 2011 at 7:06 pm
Medora Hebert
How long does it take for an encaustic piece to “cure”? If I mount a photo on gessoed plywood and then work on it with encaustic medium to my satisfaction, when will it be ready to display? I did some work in early September and it is still a bit sticky. Any advice would be appreciated.
October 11, 2011 at 6:42 pm
embracingencaustic
The wax takes about a year to cure, but it’s fine to show it before then. I have shown work immediately after making it without a problem. Just know that it will be a little more fragile until it cures and be sure your gallery knows how to clean the surface (buff it with a soft cloth every few months) and to be careful with exposed edges. Other than that it’s not as fragile and most people think! Happy painting.
January 25, 2012 at 7:00 pm
Ryan Chesla
Hello-
I was wondering if you could answer a question for me. Can I use Moab Anasazi Inkjet Canvas if it has been applied to an Ampersand Encaustic Board? Your help would greatly be appreciated.
Thanks so much,
Ryan
January 26, 2012 at 11:12 pm
embracingencaustic
Hi Ryan, I’m not familiar with that product but as long a it is thick enough to be a barrier between the glue holding it (I’d use Golden’s Gel Medium) and the wax it should work.The acrylic glue shouldn’t come in contact with wax because they won’t stick well together. I did read that the canvas is water resistant so that could be a problem but the only way to know is to test it and see if it absorbs the wax or find someone who has tried it. You could also ask the question on the excellent R&F Paints Forum: http://www.rfpaints.com/index.php?option=com_agora&Itemid=90 . Good luck! Linda
March 7, 2012 at 10:13 am
Tina Buenzow
Hi Jude i just came across a youtube of a demo on Encaustic Wax Paint and i’m excited to try it right away! do you know if any craft stores in Houston Tx. carry this product? as you can see i don’t want to wait to order it online unless i absolutely have to! also is there anybody teaching this here in the Houston Tx. area?
Kind regards
Tina
March 7, 2012 at 11:51 pm
Linda Womack
Hi Tina, For supplies in Houston I checked the Enkaustikos “Find a Retailer” page (http://encausticpaints.com) and found this: Art Supply, 2711 Main St Houston TX 77002, Telephone: 713.652.5028, Website: http://www.artsupplyonline.com .
You might want to look into my online encaustic classes (only $49 for 6 months!) at http://www.womackworkshops.com or search on Texas Wax. They might have a group in your area. Good luck! Linda
August 7, 2012 at 1:23 pm
Darby
Hi Linda, I have your book and am a great fan of your work. I have been reading that for photo encaustic work, it is OK to apply a thin top coat of pure bees wax without the resin. Will this hold up over time?
August 7, 2012 at 1:58 pm
embracingencaustic
I’m so glad you like my book Darby! Using plain beeswax can lead to a white haze called bloom that worsens over time so I would suggest using the wax/resin mixture (encaustic medium) instead. If it’s just for you you can probably get away with it and buff out the haze as it shows up but if you are selling your work it’s a bad idea. Happy painting!
September 21, 2012 at 6:47 pm
Jennifer
Hi, I’ve been painting with encaustics for a year now and LOVING it. I’m not your typical encaustic painter where my surfaces are smooth and sealed up. I’m just the opposite actually. My finished surface has lots of pits and cracks and uneven surface. I would love to seal it because I’m afraid that all my pits, cracks and uneven surface will fill with dust over time. I’m looking for a way to have a clear, smooth top coat surface.
I bought Encaustiko’s XD product. They say that it’s a great product to use for top coating. I bought it and it doesn’t work for me. It’s way too thick and it doesn’t spread. It’s like trying to work with thick, sticky honey.
My intent is to seal my paintings with a CLEAR, GLOSSY TOP COAT. I assumed that painting it on would be easy.
My first question is: Do you know how to seal up dimensional paintings, (one’s that have lots of pits, holes, cracks, etc…)
and two: What product would you recommend? I’m wondering if I can somehow, thin or manipulate the XD product to have it work for me. Maybe add linseed oil to it or possibly something else? Or maybe use straight damar resin and add some non-toxic solvent to it? Or add something else to the XD so it can spread easier, have it lay down smooth and clear?
Another problem with the XD product is that it’s not particularly clear either. When I tested it it took a lot of color and detail out of my painting. They said it would be clear and it’s not.
I’m scared there’s no clear sealant that’s easy to put on. Or possibly I’m using the XD product incorrectly. Please let me know your thoughts.
Thank you!
September 21, 2012 at 8:15 pm
embracingencaustic
Hi Jennifer, This is clearly a question for Enkaustikos, the makers of this product. I’ve only used it on a smooth surface and did find it was sticky longer than other waxes (because of the extra resin) but within a few days it cured into the hard surface they advertise. If you have questions about their product you should contact them directly. They are great a troubleshooting and wonderful to work with. Here’s the link: http://www.encausticpaints.com/Default.aspx?tabid=416
September 22, 2012 at 7:12 am
Jennifer
Thank you so much for the information and the quick response! I WILL contact them. Thanks again.
December 12, 2012 at 2:45 pm
youarerandy
Hi!
I was wandering do I have to mount my image on wood? Can I mount the image of mounting board/mat board? Also, is it ok for the wax to touch the glass or should there be a gap between the wax and glass?
Thank you!