Encaustic Photography

[ndg]

I have been dabbling in encaustic for the last few weeks and really like it.
For one, it is a really cheap way of presenting one's work.
The biggest investment is a heat gun and a hot plate.
The artist wood panels, beeswax, resin, paper and ink are recurring charges.
I have found that using Kozo paper, weight of about 40- 55 gm, allows me to mount the print directly in the wax without any glue.
I have used inkjet prints and cyanotypes so far.
To print on Kozo paper in the Epson, I mount it on watercolor paper.
I am curious to know if any other member has tried their hands at encaustic and their experiences. Thanks!

[David Aimone]

I have been "finishing" prints in encaustic. I think it's a great method, but it really is venturing into painting more than photography. Unless you just coat a mounted photo with encaustics, which gives the photo a very pictorial, less detailed coated appearance. Beyond that, it's painting. Took the workshop with Jill Skupin Burkholder in Woodstock last June.

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I have been dabbling in encaustic for the last few weeks and really like it.
For one, it is a really cheap way of presenting one's work.
The biggest investment is a heat gun and a hot plate.
The artist wood panels, beeswax, resin, paper and ink are recurring charges.
I have found that using Kozo paper, weight of about 40- 55 gm, allows me to mount the print directly in the wax without any glue.
I have used inkjet prints and cyanotypes so far.
To print on Kozo paper in the Epson, I mount it on watercolor paper.
I am curious to know if any other member has tried their hands at encaustic and their experiences. Thanks!

[ndg]

I am harnessing more or less the pictorial effect and less for painting.

[David Aimone]

Cool! Can't wait to see. i've done that too but no photos.... mounted on a canvas type floating frame.


I am harnessing more or less the pictorial effect and less for painting.

[invisibleflash]

I like it for art prints, but it does not work well with my social doc work.

[billie williams]

I have been dabbling in encaustic for the last few weeks and really like it.
For one, it is a really cheap way of presenting one's work.
The biggest investment is a heat gun and a hot plate.
The artist wood panels, beeswax, resin, paper and ink are recurring charges.
I have found that using Kozo paper, weight of about 40- 55 gm, allows me to mount the print directly in the wax without any glue.
I have used inkjet prints and cyanotypes so far.
To print on Kozo paper in the Epson, I mount it on watercolor paper.
I am curious to know if any other member has tried their hands at encaustic and their experiences. Thanks!

Wow, I've been wanting to learn this type of finishing. Did you have a book that helped you? Or a specific site that was helpful? Thanks, Billie

[ndg]

Encaustic Art by Lissa Rankin plus all I could read about it online. Also, whilst getting supplies at Plaza Art in Cincinnati, I ran into an artist. When she saw me getting encaustic supplies, she gave me very important pointers.

[ndg]

"The Flower" - an Encaustic Photograph
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Shot on Portra 160 with Speed Graphic, Nikon 135 mm lens
Printed to 14x21 on Seichosen Kozo paper in Epson 4900

[billie williams]

Encaustic Art by Lissa Rankin plus all I could read about it online. Also, whilst getting supplies at Plaza Art in Cincinnati, I ran into an artist. When she saw me getting encaustic supplies, she gave me very important pointers.
Cool, thanks Nana, I will order that book. Any other suggestions still welcome. I found an article by Jill Burkholder too.

[ndg]

Get the R&F heat gun.
You can get natural bristle paint brushes from Home Depot.
I use small baking pans to melt the wax.
Get a skillet as your hot plate.
American Easel has the best prices on the wood panels. Get those with 1-5/8" cradles. Just look better.
I stain the sides of the panel with ebony wood stain. Get from Home Depot.
I recommend using Epson Enhanced Matte. Soaks the wax well. Or even better, Kozo paper, about 40-50 gm (get from Hiromi Paper)
If i use enhanced matte, i glue the print to the panel with gum arabic
If i use Kozo, i just lay it in a layer of wax!
Good luck

[billie williams]

Thanks for the additional tips! And your flower looks very cool.