Beyond the Basics
A 3-day intensive in-person Workshop
Working with Tissue Paper + PhotoEncaustic
July 26 - 28, 2025
Minneapolis, MN
Registration Opens March 18. Mark Your Calendar.
This is an advanced workshop and goes beyond the basics of photo encaustic. It’s designed for intermediate to advanced artists who want to take their skill of working with tissue paper prints to the next level.
About the course
Internationally known artist Clare O’Neill shares all her tips and techniques for printing photographs on tissue paper and embedding the images in hot beeswax. Clare is known for her process and incredible artwork tiling multiple pieces of tissue paper images together to create large-scale pieces.
Working with non-traditional papers (tissue paper) requires a combination of technical knowledge of working with photographs and encaustics and a vision for creating layers and backgrounds. This in-person workshop tackles the challenges of choosing the right image, how to successfully print on tissue paper, and embedding your image to create dynamic and deeply satisfying work.
Included in the workshop:
• Twenty-one plus hours of facilitated workshop time.
• Plenty of one-on-one time with Clare
• Two large substrates (24×30) or four smaller (11×14)
• All materials
• Step-by-Step instructions and handouts
• Exclusive access to vibrant Facebook Community
• And a few surprises
Are you yearning to create work that makes your heart sing?
Lessons
What you need to know about paper selection
You’ll learn how to choose your paper and what to look for when making your paper selection. No longer will you be confused about labels like acid free and buffered. We’ll talk about the properties of the paper, coatings, and how tissue will behave when incorporated into encaustic.
How to Create Backgrounds that are amazing
You’ll explore different ways and ideas to create an interesting background for your tissue paper print. This process lends itself to multiple layers and luminosity. This module brings it all together. Learn how your background is the beginning of a piece with loads of visual interest.
Selecting and Preparing your images
You’ll learn the importance of choosing an image for this process and why not all images are suitable. Clare will walk you through how she isolates and manipulates her images for embedding in encaustic.
Best practices for printing on tissue paper
You’ll learn exactly how to print your image on tissue paper for bet results. We’ll talk about printers and inks and the things you need to keep in mind when printing on tissue to avoid drag marks and crumpled papers.
Tips and tricks for embedding tissue paper
You’ll learn the tips and tricks to embed tissue and make it look integrated into the piece and not just sitting on top of the wax. We’ll talk about what to do with air bubbles and how to hide the edges of the tissue as well as how to embellish the image once it’s embedded.
Tiling Your images for working large
Tissue paper has the advantage of being able to create large pieces without having a large format printer. You’ll learn how to divid your photo and print n multiple piece. We’ll talk about tips to bring the seams of several images together and then how to hide those seams so it becomes seamless
About Course Creator
Clare is a professional photographer, experienced photo encaustic artist and passionate teacher.
She teaches about using photography as a tool for re-awakening creativity and self-expression while taking your photographs to new dimensions and creative possibilities.
Through her popular online and in person programs and workshops Clare provides support, inspiration and strategies to photographers all over the world who are looking to expand their artistic vision through the encaustic medium.
To learn more about Clare go here.
FAQ's
Where is the workshop?
The workshop will take place in a studio in Northeast Minneapolis. Details will be provided upon registration.
Who is this class for?
This course is for artists who want to take their encaustic work to another level. Working with non-traditional papers (tissue paper) requires a combination of technical knowledge of working with photographs and encaustics and a vision for creating layers and backgrounds.
How much encaustic experience do I need?
To fully understand and participate in this workshop, you must have prior experience and knowledge of working with encaustics. This workshop is not suitable for absolute beginners. If you are new to encaustics, it is advised that you either purchase my online photo encaustic class or take a beginners workshop elsewhere. The basics of substrates, applying wax, fusing, using different pigments will not be covered in this workshop.
Do I need prior experience with printing or embedding tissue paper?
No. We will be covering all the basics so everyone is on the same page with their knowledge of this process.
I’m not a photographer, is this class suitable for me?
Yes! All you need to know about photography is that you love taking images and have the technical expertise to get your images from your camera (whether that be DSLR or phone) to me so we can print them during the workshop. I’ll walk you through how to choose the right image for this process, how to print the images on tissue paper and how to embed them into encaustic.
Do I need to bring any supplies?
Most materials will be provided. However, if you have any favorite materials, colors, or mark-making tools that you prefer to use, you should plan on bringing them along. A detailed list of the materials that will be provided will be given to you several weeks before the workshop, so you can make any necessary arrangements.
How large can we work?
You can choose to work large or to work smaller. I will provide either two large 24×30 substrates or four smaller 11×14 substrates (or a combination of one large and two smaller) for you to work on during the workshop.
I don’t want to work that large. Can I work smaller?
Yes. You don’t have to work that large. If you want to work with tissue paper images on smaller boards that can be arranged. No problem. You will just need to let us know in advance so we have the boards that you are comfortable working on.
When does the workshop start and when does it end?
We will work from 9:00 to 5:00 daily on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday the 26, 27, 28 of July. We’ll take an hour or so for lunch so you can explore many of the fabulous restaurants in and around the studio.
How are payments handled?
Payment is securely processed via PayPal and can be made using either your PayPal account or your credit card.
What can I expect once I register?
Within 24 hours of registration you’ll receive a welcome packet with all the information you’ll need for the workshop. If you don’t receive this email, please reach out to info@photoencaustic.com.
Still wondering if this class is right for you?
Feel free to shoot me an email at info@photoencaustic.com with your questions. I’m happy to answer them!
What are the cancellation policies?
We have a firm cancellation policy. Should you need to cancel please see the refund policy listed below. In the unlikely event that a workshop must be cancelled due to inadequate enrollment, all fees and deposits are refunded in full. This determination will be made at least 30 days prior to the workshop. Cultural & Destination Specialists, Inc., d/b/a Taylor & O’Neill is not responsible for reimbursement of non-refundable airline tickets or other travel related expenses in the event of a workshop cancellation.
Cancel before May 12: Refund less an $85 administration fee
Cancel between May 13 – July 11: Refund of $475 (50%)
Cancel between July 12 – July 26: No Refund
It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance that will cover your costs in case of cancellation or a medical emergency during your trip.
Are you Ready to:
+ Add more visual interest to your work +
+ Take your artistic expression to the next level +
+ Try something new and exciting for your artwork +
+ Dive deeper into your craft +
+ Push yourself out of your comfort zone +
+ Find your groove working with tissue paper images +
+ Go BIG and work on a larger scale +
Are you ready to think differently about your Photographs?
Join me in Minneapolis
Registration Opens March 19.
Workshop Cost $950
(includes $200 studio fee)
Studio fee of $200 covers 2 large substrates (24×30) or 4 medium substrates (11×14), tissue paper prints, encaustic medium, oils paints, pigment sticks, pan pastels, oil pastels, and an array of other materials necessary for this process.
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