I’ve had the great fortune of teaching many, many students over the course of the last decade or so….and I’m always learning. Each class includes students with varying knowledge of either photography or the encaustic process. Occasionally, I even have students who know photo encaustic but want a more sound foundation to build upon.
What I’ve found through the years is students tend to make the same mistakes. When I’m talking with others about my online class, The Artistic Image, I frequently get asked something like this…..’how do you know the mistakes student are making if you can’t see them working?”
And I’ll be honest, the first time I did my online class I wondered how I was going to do this too. Well as it turns out, I’ve taught so many classes now that it’s pretty easy for me to see by the images that students post. And I’ve found there to be 9 rookie mistakes most artists make when learning the process. They are so common that I’ve created a checklist for you to download and keep with you at your work station so that you can avoid them in your process.
I cover all these mistakes and so, so much more in my online class, The Artistic Image. Here is what you get in the course:
- A Complete Blue Print for working with your photographs and encaustic
- A vibrant community of like-minded artists
- Direct feedback + assistance in the members only Private Facebook Group
- Cheat Sheets with Step-by-Step instructions
- Downloadable training videos
- 100% online to work at a time that is convenient for you
All while creating:
- Images that are different—ones that don’t have the same look an feel of every else’s images.
- A unique perspective + an inspirational boost to your work.
- Effortlessly make composite images that come completely from your imagination.
- Work that has texture, depth, and a mystical feel.
- Stunning artwork that people are drawn to.
If you are new to this process, this course is for you.
What do you think? What are some of the biggest rookie mistakes that you’ve made?
Be well….be creative,
Upon opening this week’s topic (I always look forward to your Monday tidbits of wisdom), I thought: O.M.G. Clare is talking directly to me! Your 9 point tip sheet is a spot on reminder on many levels. It was immediately printed and is hanging in the studio where I can pay attention to it regularly.
For me, #1, 2, and 9 are my hot spots with the over-fusing, too thick layers, and heat gun being too close the main culprits. Encaustic work is very new-to-me and whenever one steps away from the familiar and usual, there is a huge learning curve. Suddenly, things that work no longer do and all you feel you are doing is making a big mess.
I recently submitted 3 pieces I had been working on for several months to a group show. Once they were hung, I immediately saw where I needed to practice more – thinner layers, gentle fusing, be patient. And then this morning’s 9 mistakes to avoid from you – yep, I need to just play-practice-play-practice and step away from that needing to “finish” every time I step into the studio. (Ironically, the piece I knew I would reheat and totally scrape off to redo sold…go figure….)
Thanks again for all your creative nuggets of wisdom to keep us moving through and forward!
Thanks Diana, it means the world to me that people are interested in what I put out there. Congrats on selling the one piece….I love that you have the 9 points printed and hanging in the studio.