I hear it all the time, “but I don’t have access to a studio.”
And you might indeed need a studio if you’re planning on creating 36 x 36 photo encaustic with loads of texture. But we all start much smaller. And you don’t need a studio.
You can learn basic photo encaustic skills with simple tools and everyday items that you can use safely in your own kitchen (and how appropriate that a large portion of the tools I use come from the kitchen aisle at Target.)
Here’s a quick look at how a small simple workspace can be set up.
It includes simple window ventilation, a small 20 x 36 inch table, and old skillet from Goodwill, adjustable heat gun, encaustic medium and pigmented medium in a small bread pans and re-purposed tuna cans, chip brushes from the hardware store, oil pastels, and my favorite tools from my pottery days.
Nothing fancy. All very practical.
So don’t let not having access to a studio stand in your way of learning photo encaustics.
Don’t miss out on igniting your unique vision and transforming your images. The medium is seductive. So give it a try. I think you’ll like it.
I’d love to hear from you in the comments below. Does the lack of a formal studio space stop you from learning the process? For those of you who have learned the process where do you work?
Be well….be creative,
I have a small space in my basement where I work. I have a window right above my space and organize my materials and equipment to make it encaustic friendly. I wouldn’t know what to do with a big space to work : )
Although I currently do encaustic collage in a class studio setting, have found my ceramic cooktop useful for softening wax on small pieces so I can place inclusions and lightly adhere them. I am also considering using a frypan to hold small containers of wax for melting. There is a fan directly above the cooktop.
My apartment is very small, but I have set up my studio in my living room, sacrificing the sofa and TV (which I didn’t watch anyways). My set up looks like yours except I added a pancake griddle to warm the colored wax. I make quite a mess when I’m working but having it set up and right in front of me means I do it more.
What perfect timing Claire, I am just about to put together my studio in our heated workshop. Also I have to say how much I enjoyed your video that I purchased on photo transfers of large photos. Thank you so much for providing such an educational platform for encaustic!
I love when serendipity works Shawn…..glad you found this article at the perfect time for you. Good luck with setting up the studio. I also wrote a post on workplace safety that you should read if you haven’t done so already. https://photoencaustic.comclone2/how-safe-is-your-workspace/
I have a tiny enclosed porch off my kitchen and although I always pine for more space, I know I would just fill it with clutter. And I share with my grandchildren when they come to paint. The reward is my six year old grandson telling his art teacher that his grandmother is an encaustic artist and bringing my work in for show and tell.
Thanks for being a continuing inspiration, Clare.
I love this…..my studio is being renovated as I write this and I’m looking forward to introducing the grand girlies to wax. They are just about the right age!