I took an encaustic workshop with Eileen Goldenberg recently. It was from 10-4 and it was FANTASTICALLY FUN. I am a long way from perfecting the technique (still have lots of bubbles) but I certainly enjoyed the instant gratification of not having to wait for paint to dry! Eileen showed us lots of techniques (sgraffito, using wire mesh, copper pipes, tracing paper, photo transfer, embedding objects, gilding, etc. And the EASY clean-up was another bonus!I went out and bought an electric pancake griddle and a heat gun that very day. The next day, I went to SF and got plywood from Discount Builders Supply, 5# of beeswax from Douglas and Sturgess (that'll last a while) and encaustic gesso from Dick Blick. Now all I need is Damar resin.
I can see how one could get very meticulous and "crafty" in terms of the technique. It seems like it could be very "Zen"and addictive--something that I could be doing into the wee hours.
Here are the 2 pieces I made at the workshop.
