When Enkaustikos and Linda Roberston sent me an encaustic kit to play with I was thrilled. I’ve wanted to explore painting with wax for a long time.
Every paint brush, the wax, a PanPastel, the tools, the wood cradle – it was all in the kit from Enkaustikos. This box was loaded with just about everything I needed. The only additional supplies I needed were a griddle and a heat gun.
Linda Robertson has wonderful tutorial videos that explain how to use all the supplies in the kit and get started with encaustics. Best part, access to these videos is included with the kit!
I watched those videos and then gave it a try. Linda did a great job explaining things for a newbie so I felt comfortable turning on the heat and giving this a try.
I decided to embrace the fact that I am a beginner at encaustic. As a beginner, I allowed myself to mess it up, try different techniques, and most of all I had no expectations. That let me play…Here’s what I learned during my play:
That first layer is a base and gets obscured in the layers.
Since I have a couple of stencils in my studio, I picked up my Crosswords stencil.
What it looks like in the early stages was no indication to me of how it was going to look later on in the process.
Using the wax is just like painting. The colored waxes can be very opaque or translucent. The cool part is I can control that by how much clear wax I mix with a color.
Here the white is at almost full strength so it is very opaque.
PanPastels are scrumptious on the wax. Really scrumptious…addictively scrumptious.
The layering is addictive. I told myself “this is the last layer” over and over…I just couldn’t stop.
The bubbles, holes, whatever they are called on the far left are just heavenly texture to me.
There is lots of texture since I liked to pile on the wax. Not surprising since I like to pile on paint when I create.
So much variation came from mixing my own colors using the griddle.
Cloudiness is temporary. Here is with the last layer on it before it finished cooling completely.
This is what it looks like after it has cooled completely.
A huge thanks to Enkaustikos and Linda Robertson for inviting me to play with their fabulous kit! Be sure to check out all the other artists on this hop to see how experienced encaustic artists have used the kit!
Your work looks fantastic Carolyn & I hope those kimts become available over here soon. Thanks for sharing
Your finished piece is gorgeous. Did It ruin stencil? How did you clean it afterwards?
The stencil was easy to clean by setting it on the hot griddle and wiping off the wax as it was warm and soft. Wiped right off so no harm in any way to the stencil. This is one of those times when I do actually clean my stencil. Not all brands of stencils can handle heat so test yours first if not sure. Hope that helps!
Well NEWBIE NO MORE!!! Incredible layers and texture. You are even making me feel like I can do it!
You knocked this out of the park!
Your piece Carolyn is stunning and as I see this technique more and more, I want to try it!!! Thank you for the inspiration!!
YOU HAVE A NATURAL TALENT. EVERYTHING YOU TRY COMES OUT GREAT. I WISH I COULD LEARN SO QUICK AND NOT WORRY ABOUT THE OUTCOME’ I HAVE GOT TO TRY THESE TECHNIQUES, I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We must turn off the negative comments and just do it, right?
This really helped me to understand it more and makes me want to try it and see where it leads me.
I’ve always been attracted by wax but never dared use it. A give away would give me the opportunity to try. Thanks for the chance to win.
I love your tutorials. I would love to try this some day.
OMG this is FABULOUS !!!! Newbie schnewbie! Can’t wait to see what you do next! Love the stencil and texture you created- you rocked it!
Carolyn, this is really terrific, I think you might be a natural at encaustics!
Awesomeness as always! {I love the bubbling effect too!} Thanks for sharing and for always reminding us to play and enjoy! and thanks for taking the time to hop!
I love watching/learning how you work. Your fearlessness inspires me! Thanks for the chance to win this great kit.
Great piece! The kit looks fantastic.
Super cool. Can’t wait to try it.
The finished piece came out great. I need to get my encaustics out to play.
Holy Wax Cakes Carolyn!! Your piece is stunning!! I could feel your excitement in your write-up and I just loved seeing all the steps. I started at the beginning at the hop and when visiting Linda’s blog I was so excited to learn pan pastels go so well onto the wax, but reading here how fun and scrumptious it is, I know it is a MUST-try thing! Thanks for sharing!
Love your painting! So excited to experiment with encaustics!
Well, Carolyn, that was just so much fun. You know I want to rub my hands all over it.
Love the look of this. Congrats for a successful challenge.
Fab giveaway – I have sort of tried it in a fashion using a travel iron and wax crayons and that’s because to buy all the ‘proper’ bits, it worked out really expensive so I’d love to have a chance to win this fantastic array of prizes, esp the lessons to get an idea of how to tackle it best.
Loving those layers by the way and fantastic colour combo xx
Thank you xxx
Nicely done for your first try! I love encaustics! Your piece is beautiful.
Please please please let me win!!! I love painting with wax and can only do it during my very few and far between workshops the I can attend! Would love to play with it at home and have a video to follow!
Looks fabulous! I love the color palette of blues and greens…I see more encaustics in your future!
I NEED more stencils & I’d like to try the encaustics. You always make everything you make look so fun & easy to do. Would love to “play with paints & stencils” with you!
Thanks for the chance.
Oh my goodness! I love those colors and the way they all came together at the end. Just gorgeous.
You make it look so easy, Carolyn! I know that if you, as a beginner in encaustics can do it, I can too! Your end product is terrific!
What fun – I’d love to have a go!!
Beautiful Carolyn. I love the crossword stencil in this piece!
LOVE the way you ‘play’ Carolyn. That wax has such a lustrous look to it.
LOL, well, Carolyn, if you are a newbie at this, you are an amazing artist at everything the first time!
LOVE your style and and TFS your process!
That looks like so much fun…especially for those of us who love layering!
I love how this turned out Carolyn! Love the combo of colors you used. I would have never known this was your first time if you hadn’t said so!
Wow! Your first try can out great! Now I want to try it. Maybe I’ll get lucky and win so I can get it out. Thanks!
That looks & sounds like so much fun. I love how your project turned out.
I was so excited I almost forgot to comment! I love how your first encaustic turned out. It is so pretty and rich. Are you addicted now? I sure love it. I have to pull mine out so I can play again.
I am definitely a fan of your geometric stencils and Crosswords is a great design! I really enjoyed what you did with it and the encaustics. Nobody would guess it was your first time to try this medium.
Beautiful piece! I have wanted to learn encaustics for some time. I’ve researched it online when I couldn’t find info in local craft stores but have never been sure what supplies and tools I need.
That looks like SO much fun! Beautiful piece you created 🙂
Encaustic painting is right at the top of my list of things to try! It looks like you had sooo much fun!
That looks fantastic fun. I’m going to check out if those kits are available in the UK.
Love it – I wish I could run my hands over it and get a sense of the depth. Looks like great fun 🙂
Very nice first attempt! You are a natural. Thanks for sharing your experience. I hope I get selected for the giveaway…. I love painting with encaustics but can’t afford to keep it up as my main art form. This kit would be a boost in the right direction! **fingers crossed**
I LOVE the look of encaustic! Oh, the layers one can achieve! And with Gelli prints. Way too much fun! Fondly, Tami
Looks wonderful. Nice thick texture with super colors.
I love your
Let’s try this again! I love your art work. Blues and greens are my favorite. Is it really as simple as you seem to make it in creating with wax?
I watched the video lessons from Linda Robertson and then I just started playing. When that first layer or two went down, I began to wonder if it was going to turn out okay, but after a bunch more layers those early ones were just a shadow. If you’re drawn towards encaustics I say just start playing and exploring!
Seems like everything you “try” works out perfect!
Your piece is beautiful!!! I so want to try this. Hope I will get to soon.
…you had me at addictively scrumptious. Actually, no. You had me at scrumptious.
Thanks for sharing the inspiration!
This is super super exciting! You’ve inspired mevCarolyn, I’ve to try it!!
Oh my!! New toys.
There’s so much serendipity that comes with encaustics that I love! And it looks like you do too!!
Carolyn, anything you do is going to fab! Your use of layers is great and no white spaces!
Great use of texture and color. Thanks for the giveaway.
Wow looks like fun I’ve always wanted to try a different medium.tfs
Oh how pretty!! Love how it turned out! I was playing with my encaustics last night using my encaustic block and encaustic iron. It had been many years since I had pulled them out to play. In fact I had just finished a blog post when I saw your posting!! http://foronemoment.blogspot.com/2014/06/encaustic-playtime.html
Carolyn, what a fantastic creation! I love the texture and many layers of color and wax. I’ve never tried my hand at encaustic but have been intrigued by the results I’ve seen from several artists. I particularly like those of Elaine Brady Smith 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing your process!
Love what you have done – it’s beautiful! Thanks for a chance to win some great prizes.
looks great Carolyn – and actually the piece could have been finished and was beautiful at several different stages.
I have always wanted to try encaustics, but the cost to even get started was more than I can afford. I love what you have made and see you can have fun with this wax and still make great art, even if you are a newbie.
awesome I have wanted to try this myself you have encouraged me to have a go. thanks so much
Wow!!! Your artwork is gorgeous! Thanks for the opportunity to throw my name into the hat.
Gorgeous piece! Love all the layers and texture!
Although I’ve always loved encaustic art, I’ve never embraced it because, well, you know, ‘one more thing’ to buy -actually ‘many’ more things to buy, but I can feel myself succombing to the influence here and somehow, I already know I’m going to love it. I have dabbled with color crayons and a little iron and beeswax, which I did like. Carolyn, I love your piece here-certainly does not look beginner to me!
The texture on that is spectacular! The colors, the bubbles, the squares, it’s gorgeous!!
Beautiful! Hard to believe its your first time. Makes this new art form very appealing! Tnx for sharing!
OOhhhweee…I want to play with encaustics too!!!
I love how you’ve given yourself permission to just play & enjoy new materials & new technique! What you created here was quite marvelous to boot 🙂
Encaustic is something I really want to try. Thanks for all the pictures and the cha nice to win!
Wow absolutely stunning! Hope you will show us more work with this material. I would love to try this sometime.
Looks like so much fun. what exactly is the griddle, is this a cooking device? And can’t you burn yourself easily with these materials?
Yup, it’s a cooking griddle with a way to adjust temperature so that you can control the temperature. As far as burning yourself – it is hot and you can be burnt since everything is hot so you have to pay attention to what you’re doing. Hope that helps!
Wow! I’ve always admired this art form but have been to intimidated to try it. Yours turned out stunning and it makes me want to run my hands all over it!
Oooh Carolyn, I really get itchy fingers watching this.
I love how you play!
Wow! This is amazing! I have been ‘afraid’ to try wax but your step by step no worries fabulous first attempt has changed my mind!
Carolyn, In my opinion, you could have stopped at any one of those yummy layers! Each one was more beautiful than the last! Your finished piece indeed is gorgeous! and you say it’s addictive? and scrumptious? really scrumptious? really addictive?! teehee Yes, I could get that from your words of enthusiasm!! Quick question…how did you get your stencil in the wax? Did you press it in when the wax was still warm? And I have to say- love your choice of colors here- beauteeously scrumptious! Did I just say scrumptious?! I have to stop hanging out with you! teehee”)
Using a stencil with encaustics is just like using a stencil with paper. You set it on the surface and paint the wax on it. Didn’t have to push it in or anything. What you may be seeing is how the layers get buried in it. I used clear wax in between some layers adding a sense of depth. Now that makes me sound like I planned it and all but nope – it was just play – I liked how the layering built up so I kept doing it. Hope that helps Jackie!
I’m an encaustic virgin, but now I want to go for it! This is so soft and beautiful, Carolyn. Seeing your piece makes me want to touch each layer of gorgeousness. Love the colors you used, too. Thanks for the fabulous tutorial. I am in awe.
I so love your adventurous journies! My mind is officially blown — encaustics, stencils and pan pastels. I’ve got all three, so will have to experiment.
You know I love your work, but I love this painting the best. So I hope you will do any other and another and a video!!!!
Wow, this is just amazing!!! I love the colors and texture! what a beautiful project!
I love see your work, because is full of color!!!
This process really interests me… I must try this…
i love all the art you create, carolyn. you make it all look so easy!
How wonderful, just love your result, stunning!
Carolyn,
That turned out so beautiful! Love the color! ~ Cheers, Lorraine
Carolyn, beautiful as always. You used my fav colors. Now I’m inspired to try it too.
Love the colors! Thanks
for the give away
Nice cool palette at work. Wax, hot and smoky is addictive and I love the bubble texture too. xox
With so few tools, a fantastic result! Thanks for sharing! (I am digging this wax thing..)
Love encaustics and it was fun to see your creation.
Love your art. Great job you made it look so easy. I would love to give it a try. Thanks for a chance to win .
Must win now. If not, i must purchase on the bill me later 6 month plan. You are such a wonderful enabler!
Well if this was your first time, I look forward to seeing you once you have really had more time to play and practice… the colors are great bright and cheery! Would look just awesome in my living room 😉 lol Thanks for sharing
Looks great! I’d love to try this.
Just last week my sister asked me if I had tried this. I have not but now that I have seen what you did, I want to! So very cooL!!!
I’ve always worried that the wax would dull the colours but you have dispelled that in one swoop of your amazing colours… I would love to be included in the giveaway…xx
Beautiful painting! And I absolutely love your crossword stencil. Can’t wait to see what else you do with encaustic!
Very pretty! Love the layers and color choices. You make it look easy, thank you!
Nice job, Carolyn! That looks like fun!
It looks great. I am into encaustic too. What type of stencil did you use? I haven’t tried that, I thought the wax would melt it. I hope you did a video!
I have not experimented with this technique. Hope I am blessed with this win!
thanks for the step by step pics. this is something I’ve always wanted to try!
First, let me say how much I have enjoyed your videos. I have just recently discovered your youtube sight because of the Gelli plate (which I dearly love!). Every time I watch one I want to get all my supplies out and do more printing! Encaustic art is something I’ve considered trying, but haven’t ‘taken the plunge’ yet. This kit would motivate me to go for it. Thanks for the opportunity of the drawing.
Always love your video Carolyn, thanks so much for sharing. And I’ve always wanted to try encaustic wax for a while. You answered a bunch of questions for me, again thanks so much!
Carolyn, this is magnificent! Love your buildings stencil with all those cool greens and blues!
Carolyn, I’ve been on the fence with this technique and now you have me wanting to try it! It looks like a lot of fun. I love the colors you used and your final piece looks like a pro did it and not someone new to the technique! It’s gorgeous!
very interesting technique. I play with encaustic too and this gives me new inspiration. thanks!
Wonderful tutorial and thank you so much for sharing your newbie experience with us. Your work is beautiful and inspiring…I’m finding myself being drawn into encaustics like a moth to a flame through this blog hop too by the way. I feel like every blog post I read and tutorial I see acts like a layer of inspirational wax being layed over top of any inhibitions obscuring them completely. Well…if I win my fate may very well be sealed as any last excuse to not work in encaustics will have been made silent. Thank you for affording us all the opportunity to take part in this wonderful give away. Good luck to all!
Thanks for posting the info on encaustics. I’m anxious to try this and you have given me some ideas on how to start. I love layering!
What fun! Thank you for sharing your experience.
Really love your color combinations and the crossword stencil. I can’t wait to try using stencils in my encaustic work. That is a totally new process to me.
I would love to try encaustics. Thanks for the info and opportunity
Love what you have done with the stencils, and you’re right, playhing with wax is addictive. Love that it’s getting warmer, and I can get back to work on some new encaustics now that I can “ventilate.” Great stuff!
Wonderful depth and such interesting texture!
You created such wonderful depth and such interesting texture!
One of the things I most admire is your courage. You dive right in and always score a perfect 10!
Thanks for the great tips! I am new to the medium and still setting up my workspace. I don’t have any stencils to try yet, but it looks like they have wonderful possibilities.
Encaustics used to sound so scary to me, but this blog hop is making it look a lot less intimidating! Maybe Santa will put blocks of pigmented wax in my stocking this year! Not too early to start the art supply wish list, I hope!
Love the blue green combo, Carolyn. Great piece for a first timer!
Amazing work – hard to imagine it was your first effort. Keep going with this, your work is beautiful.
I like the cloudiness. And your patterns are lovely. Thanks for sharing the encaustic journey.
Ohhh, I love the blues & greens! I have been drooling over encaustic for a few years. Have tried faux encaustic, but it is not as beautiful!
I am new to encaustic myself and would love to give this kit a try!
Pick Me! Pick Me! I am very tempted to jump in here with the more I see! Really great work…for your First Time!
Loved, loved, LOVED the texture!
Thanks for your step by step experience…encaustic can seem intimidating, so it’s nice to see/hear how you had fun just experimenting and the results are beautiful!
I love the crosswords stencil! Your gorgeous encaustic piece looks like a cityscape to me. Wonderful, giveaway, too.
Love it! I can’t wait to try stencils with encaustic. You did great for your first try.
I would love to try this .. so much fun!
Thank you Carolyn for all the inspiration : )
You clearly had fun playing with encaustics! It is fun to experiment and play!
Beautiful work! Love how you explained your process and how the clear wax can help make the colors more transparent. Great job! Thanks for sharing.
Katie B.
I love the way you combined transparent and opaque, not just with the colors, but with the encaustic medium as well. It’s a very interesting piece!
The wax process is fascinating to me. I’d love a chance to try it! You certainly seemed to enjoy your first foray. Lovely! 😀
beautiful – Love the colors and that stencil. ohhhhhh I have not played with wax with my stencils – so much to try…so little time!! thanks
Looks to me like you’re a natural with encaustics. Would love to win the kit-it looks fabulous. I’m afraid if I try encaustics I’ll end up with a piece that weighs 150 lbs. I wouldn’t be able to stop layering! LOL
I’ve been a little intimated to try encaustics although I love the results. Thanks for sharing a newbie’s perspective!
I am also a newbie to encaustics and have been aching to have a go at it. What a wonderful kit
Great piece! I wonder if it’s like in preschool when you melted crayons on tinfoil? I loved that 🙂 I like the crossword stencil it fav great texture!
Your work is great! Welcome to the wonderful world of waxing women…and I’m ain’t talkin bikini! LOL I love the use of the stencil. I haven’t tried a “real” one … but went to the fabric store and picked up some heavy stiff open mesh stuff…diamond shaped…and it worked. I’m now on the hunt for other ideas….just love the thrift stores and yard sales. I’m hoping you’ll post your next piece. You go, gurrrl!???
Carolyn:
Thanks for sharing your amazing journey in encaustic painting. Your finished work ;looks much more like a professional than a beginner. Congratulations and every success for the future.
Annie
Carolyn: Your finished work looks very professional. One gets the feeling that you really enjoyed the process. Thanks for sharing your journey. Blessings
Annie
I too..have always wondered about encaustic art. It looks fabulous. I’d love to give it a go. It’s tricky getting supplies here in my provincial city in New Zealand so would reeaaaally be thrilled to be provided with a kit to give it a go.
Thank you for your pics and clear explanation. Very much appreciated
Christine
So beautiful and texture is amazing!❤??
I too am an artist interested in all kinds of mediums and have recently got interest in encaustic arts . I just wondered how do you get art supply companies to send you test kits or products to test? I would love to test all and any kind of art materials any information on how to do this would really be appreciated. Thank you so much for the tutorial. Sincerely Cherri Mead
I am 64 and looking for a new adventure. When I was young, I painted with oils,and charcoal. I love your painting and can’t wait to experiment with this technique.
Wow love it can’t wait to try this and l guess I can use crayons for this and all my other fun papers and findings!!!
Can you tell me why I only see this done on wood or canvas. Can this not be done on waterpower or any other paper. I thought it would look nice in a mixed media book.
Thank You
Love it use encaustic myself
I did a two day workshop in encaustic painting last year and I was blown away by it.
I love the sense of depth that the wax creates! I’m itching to try this. Great job on your first time!
I am a newbie too, looking at all the things people do with encaustic and I have an idea for a memorial for my Mom. I’m nervous, but about ready to try it out since I can always do it over.???
I’m so interested to try this and I hate that I missed your give away. How would one go about getting their own starter kit to play with?? This looks so amazing
looks fantastic
It is fun. I’ve only created three paintings so far and I keep scraping off th wax and starting over. You can really chase your most perfect version.
Newly curious about encaustics, this was a fabulous introduction for me…thank you. I love the layering elements you used. A calligrapher by trade, I also play with watercolors, acrylics and alcohol inks. You have given me the poke I needed to get going! ❤️
Great article! I have been hesitant to start my first encaustic project but you have given me belief in myself! Thank you for sharing your adventure – my journey is just around the bend.
Love!!
Wow, how lucky. I have been desperate to try encaustic techniques on my art. Just a bit difficult finding itbin South Africa.
Your step-by-step presentation and narrative is great! Sometimes seeing an end product with a brief explanation is a deal-BREAKER, especially when the piece becomes more and more beautiful with each layer. Patience, courage – all part of the process. Thanks for sharing your gift!
I have only just discovered encaustic art although have loved the work of some artists in this field for years. Still reading and watching videos. Can’t wait to get started.
I’m a watercolour and liquid latex painter but I’m totally entranced by your painting and story. I would love to try this and will start looking on u tube for tutorials. Your finished painting is very clever and I love the colours and patterns. Good luck as you continue to experiment!
I am a beginner and playing around with this technique. Love their work and hope to be creative and my end results as good as the ones published.
Have always wanted to try this art form,now I understand it better, I will definitely be interested.
Simple enough to interest difficult enough to maintain your interest.
A really encouraging description by Carolyn of a first experience of Encaustic Painting and an impressive result. I look forward to trying it myself. Thanks Carolyn.
This was very helpful. I enjoy doing encaustic art but have a problem with ventilating my room. So during this cold weather have not worked on it. I am looking forward to warming weather so can work on my encaustic.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on doing your encaustic art.
Bonnie House