Working Large in Photo Encaustics

Have you ever been told to ‘go big or go home’?

In the early days of my photo encaustic journey, almost everything I made was small. Tiny panels felt safe. Manageable. Predictable. But as my confidence grew—and I began understanding the deeper nuances of the encaustic process—my artwork started to grow right along with me.

I’ve always been naturally drawn to BIG artwork. Larger substrates invite a different kind of energy into my studio. They call for sweeping brushstrokes, full-body movement, and a sense of freedom that smaller pieces never quite unlocked for me. When I’m working large, I feel more expressive, more intuitive, and more connected to my work.

That said, there is absolutely nothing wrong with small or medium-sized pieces. Every scale has its own beauty. But changing scale—especially moving up—can stretch you in ways you never expect. It shifts your creative rhythm, broadens your vision, and opens you to new possibilities.

When you work large, your body moves differently. Your style adapts. Your brushstrokes change. You have to keep stepping back to view the entire composition, which often transforms the piece as you go. This shift in scale alone can cause huge breakthroughs in your artistic voice.

Large artwork has a presence that completely transforms a space. It can:

• Become a striking focal point
• Add elegance or tension
• Create visual depth and texture
• Balance architectural lines
• Spark emotion and conversation

This is exactly why interior designers and collectors often seek out big, statement-making artwork. If selling your work is a goal, size can absolutely work in your favor.

Of course, working large—especially with photographs and encaustic—comes with technical challenges. You need to know how to:

• Brace a substrate so it doesn’t warp
• Build smooth, consistent wax layers
• Mount large photographs (or tile them seamlessly)
• Avoid common pitfalls that show up only at scale

Through years of trial, error, and refinement, I’ve dialed in the techniques that make working large not just possible, but joyful. None of it is particularly hard—you just need the right guidance.

If you’re ready to push yourself creatively and take on a larger photo encaustic piece, I created a simple, accessible resource to help. Working Large with Photographs and Encaustics, walks you through every technique you need to create your own large-scale masterpiece—from preparing your panel to finishing your wax surface.

If you’ve ever wanted to go big with your work, this is your invitation. You might just surprise yourself with what you create.

Would love to hear any fears you may have about creating large scale photo encaustic work.

Be well….be creative,