Exploring Encaustic: Stretching the Boundaries of Hot Wax: Bold Brushwork

Workshop Description

You will be guided through daily projects that include panel-based painting, encaustic works on paper, an encaustic-altered book that incorporates fiber as sculpture and/or texture, under-paintings that use watercolor and oil paints, paper-clay as a substrate or surface element, and wax castings that will be incorporated into panel work. This workshop is about tapping into the creative play that moves our work forward. You are encouraged to bring your unique voice to each project, utilizing the materials provided in new and inventive ways. Time will be provided for you to work on each of the class-based projects, and then focus on specific techniques. This workshop can awaken the creative senses, as you work with the alchemy and physicality that are inherent in the hot wax medium.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Bold Brushwork

We had a great time with an afternoon exercise for opening up our brushwork.
We each had our "own" color and a 5ft sheet of paper...
I asked each participant to make 5 marks with their brush, and then move on to their neighbor's painting...adding 5 more brush strokes. When we were done, each painting was a collaborative work guided by the first brush strokes that had the work of every one in our group.
This was a great way to Open things up!

Stepping away from the wax for a short while provided the opportunity to free things up and became the segue way to introducing line/edge/brush work in encaustic.

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What Materials to Bring

1)wood panels 2-3, no larger then 12x12
2)Encaustic Paint, 3-4 colors of your personal choice
(I use R&F Handmade Paints- a link to their website is just below this in the Resource Listing)
3) note book or journal
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The following is optional:
1) hand-made and decorative papers
2) cloth fiber such as silks or light cottons
3) needles, threads, beads, etc.
4) water color paint & brushes
5) oil paint & brushes
6) an additional book to alter
7) pens, pencils, charcoal, pastels
8) pen and ink
9) your own natural bristle brushes to augment what is provided for use
10) tools that would be helpful such as ceramic pull-tools, ribs, incising tools, etc.
11) additional encaustic paint (adding to your 3-4 colors that are required)
12) ephermera that you'd like to work with

Enjoying the splendid enviroment of Esalen

Attending a workshop at Esalen is truly a unique experience, the natural serenity and beauty of the land create a calm that both relaxes and inspires creativity and personal growth. Finding balance from the intensive creativity that is much a part of the painting workshop, you will find relaxation and rejuvenation soaking in the hot mineral baths, walking or hiking the surrounding grounds, attending a yoga practice, or enjoying a world class massage that was uniquely developed at Esalen.
In addition, the FOOD! Meals are not only healthy and nourishing but wonderfully delicious. Snacks and warm tea are made available throughout the day.
This is truly a place to come and "let go".