You are going to be challenged.
There you go. It’s that simple. As artists we are drawn to the undeniable allure of the beeswax and can’t wait to get our hands on it to see how it transforms our images.
But I can guarantee you that you will be challenged. But man oh man, once you figure it out, you will fall in love.
I think every student in my last workshop made a similar comment, “this is harder than it looks.” And at first, it is. But then again, you are taking hot beeswax and brushing it onto a cool surface, hoping and praying that it will not solidify before you get that perfect brush stroke. It’s not rocket science, but it does take a little time to get the right feel for the elements of the process.
And once you find your grove, the possibilities are endless — and experimentation is always encouraged. Just remember sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t.
I just got back from a trip to the Badlands of South Dakota. We had one magical afternoon in a campground where the buffalo were just wandering through and grazing. I must have hundreds of images of buffalo. I couldn’t wait to get into the studio and “create my vision” of these large and mysterious animals.
I also picked up this amazing old rusted razor wire on the roadside. I was in heaven. This was going to be soooo cool incorporated into my buffalo image.
Ugh, what a disappointment.
It’s not my vision at all. My work is about movement and this big guy is static. He is actually the definition of static.
And the razor wire? Well that vision fell flat as well (although may not be completely lost as I’ve got other ideas for it’s use.)
I make tons of mistakes and missteps. And I’ve been doing this for years. But one of the best parts about this process is it can always be fixed. And in the end if you still don’t like it you can scrape off all the wax and start over. Which I think is going to be the fate of my friend above!
So, my best advice to any beginner is to experiment. See what happens when you try a new technique. Test your vision. And if it doesn’t work? There is always plan B.
I’d love to hear from you. What has been your biggest challenge in learning photo encaustic? Tell me what you think in the comments below.
Be well….be creative,
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P.S. Click to learn more about photo encaustic classes, courses, and workshops.
My biggest challenge, during my first two tries at photo encaustic, was to learn to take my time, be patient, and realize that I am in the learning process — not expecting a perfect (or even real nice) image right from the get-go. Once I realized that I was able to go more slowly, experiment over and over with the same image, and make some nice progress. I will also, as I go forward, take more time to develop my vision of what I want my image to look like when I’m done.
I have tried photo encaustic a few times and have fallen in love with all the possibilities. So that’s my challenge trying to decide which way to go…transfer, pour, collage…I’m looking forward to your online class this Fall!
By the way, I happen to really like the buffalo image!
Hi Beth, I know what you mean about the endless possibilities. It’s mind boggling and exciting all at once. There have been a few times that I’ve tried the same image with multiple techniques to see which one provides the results I like best!
Thanks for the comment about my buffalo. If he was just running towards me and not standing there I think I might like it better. But then again, him running towards me would have presented a few other challenges since I don’t have a long lens…….
Hi, Clare,
I am just beginning with PE. I am working on scrap wood and not using primo materials so there is that. My original wax base surface always (my first 3 pieces) comes out very textured and bumpy, not that there is anything wrong with that, but I’d like the choice to have a smooth texture to work ones well.
Also I want to work with my wildlife images and my pencil charcoal sketches, (I am a wildlife photographer) but am having trouble composing a unified image that doesn’t look part wax and part photo.
A lot to ask, but do you have any thoughts?
Hi Frumi, my best advice to you if you are just starting out is to take a class. There are so many so many mistakes that you will be able to avoid by learning from someone who has been there and done it all….so you don’t have to. For instance, if you took my beginners class you could post images for me to see your process and I could address your issues specifically. It might be your brush strokes, the brush you are using, the amount of wax you are applying, or maybe it’s in the fusing, what are you using to fuse, how are you doing it, what height are you from the substrate. And what does smooth texture mean? is it lumps and bumps, or pin holes from air bubbles.
I’m not just trying to sell my course. Learn from anyone, but take a class and get the basics. There is too much to this process to learn on your own.
If you want to know more about my online class you can go to https://photoencaustic.comclone2/encaustic-photography/
Good luck.