Introduction to Encaustic & the Eatons' Ranch Workshop
You don’t need extensive encaustic experience to join this workshop, and you certainly don’t need to have everything figured out. What matters most is curiosity, openness, a willingness to learn, and a desire to have fun while creating meaningful work with photographs and beeswax.
This page will guide you through what photo encaustic is, how it’s woven into the workshop experience, and what you’ll want to know before heading to Wyoming—so you can arrive feeling informed, confident, and ready to create.
Photo encaustic is a mixed-media process that combines photography with molten beeswax, pigment, and layering. The wax adds depth, luminosity, and a tactile quality that invites slower looking and deeper engagement with the image.
Photographs can be incorporated into the process in several ways. Each approach uses different techniques, but they all share the same result: the beeswax penetrates the image allowing light to move through the layers, and the photograph transforms into something tactile, luminous, and deeply engaging.
It’s part photography.
Part painting.
Part alchemy.
And yes—it feels a little magical. Especially when incorporated with a horse image.
The Workshop
You do not need to be a professional photographer or an experienced encaustic artist to participate in this workshop. You also don’t need to bring expensive or specialized equipment—everything you’ll need for the encaustic portion of the workshop is provided.
That said, to get the most out of our time together, it’s helpful to have a basic familiarity with working in encaustic. If you’re already comfortable with the fundamentals, you’ll be able to dive more fully into developing your ideas and creative vision while you’re here.
If you’re new to encaustic, there’s no need to worry—I’ve made this easy and accessible so you don’t miss out on the experience. Before the workshop, I offer a short, beginner-friendly video series that covers the essentials, along with a simple starter kit so you can get a feel for working with molten beeswax and fusing at home. This introduction allows you to arrive in Wyoming feeling confident and ready to create.
During the workshop itself, we’ll focus on photographing, selecting images, preparing files, and printing for encaustic. We won’t spend time on the very basics—such as substrates, applying wax, or pigment experimentation—so that our time together can be devoted to refining your work and deepening your creative process rather than starting from square one.
This workshop is designed to meet you where you are. The encaustic process is forgiving, flexible, and deeply expressive—especially when paired with images of horses, land, and movement—and you’ll be supported every step of the way.
Still have questions?
If you’re new to the encaustic process—or simply want a clearer picture of what the Eatons’ Ranch experience is like—I invite you to join this free webinar.
This Is for You If…
- You’re curious about photo encaustic but unsure where to begin
- You’re drawn to horses, landscape, and tactile art-making
- You value process, exploration, and personal vision
- You learn best in supportive, inclusive environments
- You want to understand the experience before committing
I’ll walk you through the encaustic process, explain how the workshop flows, and answer common questions so you can decide if this experience feels right for you. No encaustic experience required. No pressure to sign up. Just information, clarity, and learning more about photo encaustic.
If encaustic feels like the only thing holding you back, this is your easy button. I provide a short prep video series and a simple starter kit before the workshop, so you can arrive ready to create with confidence.
If you want a deeper dive into a 6-week guided course on photo encaustic you can go to → https://photoencaustic.com/beginner-photo-encaustic-course/