Class Description

In this 2-day encaustic workshop (5 hours each day), you will learn how to create with 2 ancient artforms: fresco and encaustic paint. The voluminous layers of fresco offer a visual history with gorgeous crackling and hand-built textures. Add luscious layers of beeswax to the surface and you've got a recipe for gorgeous art! On day one, Melissa Stephens, will teach students about ingredients and demonstrate how to combine them to make the fresco. Students will learn the process of how to apply wet layers on various substrates. When the fresco has set, the class will learn how to add stamps, stencils and other texture, and you will apply rich color with pigment based dyes. On day two, students will learn about encaustic paint - a combination of beeswax, damar resin and artist pigments. Melissa teaches various brush techniques and will guide everyone through the painting and fusing process. Each layer of encaustic paint needs to be heated with a heat gun or torch, a process called "fusing." Before students leave on day two, Melissa will arrange the artwork in her studio for a mini-exhibition where students can share their artwork with one another. At the end of the workshop, you will go home with at least 3 new paintings. If class runs during the lunch hour, up to 45 minutes will be allotted for students to eat (brown bag suggested).