Tables set out with small irons, hairdryers, heat guns, hotplates and stylus met us as we gathered for the workshop on Saturday. Not knowing what we were about to undertake added to the mystery for some of us.
Sue had a fantastic display of her work to show us embellished with beads, sequins and stitching. Throughout the day she patiently explained the methods we were about to complete, although no doubt a little different to the times when the Ancient Greeks and Egyptians painted with wax.
As we got started all was revealed as she said, “You are about to play with wax!” She demonstrated the use of the irons to melt the bees’ wax with vegetable dyes added. Using the irons we transferred the wax onto Encaustic Art Paper.
The first task was to discover what the wax could do and what patterns could be achieved by dragging the iron and lifting it up and down on the paper.
Next we were shown how to make a landscape; sky first, mountains next (not forgetting the metallic edge which I did every time) and then the foreground, holding the paper and dabbing the iron onto it. Flowers and grasses were added with the edge and tip of the iron.
Transferring the design to fabric was fairly easy. Smooth, woven fabrics work best. Place your paper design down onto the fabric, cover with tissue paper and iron.
The hot plates were used for melting wax and printing designs using rubber stamps.
After lunch even more surprises. That’s where the hairdryers came in. Melted wax was blown around the paper to form petal shapes.
Details of stamens were then added using the stylus.
| Oh my goodness several of us were in our element. |
| Flowers appeared rapidly. |
Finally Sue demonstrated her use of stitching materials like tissue paper and garden membrane together and distorting the fabric with the heat gun. Wax brought out the texture of the newly made fabric.
| Towards the end we were certainly waxed out as we prepared lots of crumpled paper textured with wax for possible future projects. Lots of fun was had and I certainly, as others also did, enjoyed the day. |
Many thanks to Sue for her inspiring and informative workshop.
Thank you to Ann Reading for writing this account of the day.
Thank you to Ann Reading for writing this account of the day.
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