2016 #3 Simple Scene {by Ruth Mescall}

 2016 Topic 3: Wax

Hi everyone Ruth here. Tonight I'd like to share with you a post about encaustic art.

I've been fascinated by encaustic art for a while now, to me the layering of images or objects within wax produces something quite magical. I've used beeswax in the past to create some small pieces but recently invested in some encaustic medium as it gives the finished pieces more durability. I started my exploration into encaustic using relatively inexpensive items and tools, the basics you need are a heat source, a wide natural hair brush such as a hake brush, wax and a heat absorbent substrate and then you can play. Oh and  a clean pop sock or knee high will come in handy at the end!   
With such a beautiful detailed main image I decided to create a simple plaque using just a few colours and a couple of techniques. I also thought of it in layers:- the background, first layer of wax, the middle ground, another layer of wax and then finishing the piece with any additions.

Step One: I started with an A5 sized piece of encausticbord which is very similar to stampboard (an alternative would be to coat a piece of wood or hardboard with encaustic gesso). I wanted some pops of red and thought of stencilling some lines using masking tape. I decided to use alcohol inks and had a happy accident as they bled under the masking tape and created fuzzy lines. 

Step Two: Using the  LPC012 plate I stamped the postmark in Black Cherry Stazon. I then warmed the board in preparation for the first layer of wax.

LPC012 

Step Three: I applied a thin layer of wax in stripes until it was evenly coated. It sets quickly. Before applying another layer I needed to 'fuse' the wax. This is reheating the surface of the wax with a heat tool until it shines and then move on, the idea is not to re melt it but 'chase the shine' and achieve a smooth surface. Once fused the wax was warm enough to apply the main image which had been stamped in black archival on to tissue paper. I then burnished the tissue to the wax to create a good seal. I used a piece of cotton wrapped around my finger but you could use the back of a spoon.

Step Four: I applied another layer of wax and as you can see it can look quite dull at this stage. Time for the finishing top layers. I applied another thin layer of wax to the bottom 2 cm and then pressed lace into the wax and added more wax on top, on removal it left a textured surface.

Step Five: I created a wavy border using a piece of masking tape torn in half. I applied and burnished perfect pearls in heirloom gold onto this area. Anything shiny has to be on the top layer as wax would dull the finish. To add some more interest I stamped part of the curly script across the top in red stazon. I love the layers of red and the depth that's created. 

Step Six: To finish, I highlighted the lace texture with Treasure Gold in Pewter and Renaissance. Once completed I buffed the wax, this can be done with silk or a pop sock on your hand, it really does bring everything to life.

One of my favourite parts is the stripe of red behind the man in the doorway just showing him off. 

If you have some beeswax and a way of keeping it melted such as a melt pot then I hope you might be tempted to try this out. Keeping it simple and planning your layers can produce very rewarding results. On a final note I should say please remember to work in a well ventilated room. 

Ruth x 

Blog: A Love To Create
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This is wonderful ruth, so dreamy, but punchy too with those pops of red. How brillliant that the man in the doorway ended up on a red patch. Thanks ~Darcy 

We would love to see how you interpret this Wax topic by linking what you make to our 2016 Challenge #3: Wax, on this page HERE.

All of our bloggers love to see your twist on their ideas,  particularly if you were inspired directly by their post. 

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