Encaustic Art for Beginners with Regina Paloma

About the event

Welcome to Crafternoons! We are bringing craft to the Studio once a month to have some fun, get messy and make something!

This month we will be learning how we can use a hot iron and coloured beeswax to make an encaustic painting. See how easily and quickly you can create something beautiful, whether it is abstract, a landscape, or a possibly portal into another reality.

As opposed to our first Encaustic event, this time we'll have the stylus available for you to play around with! There are four attachments available: A simple pen, a brush (for foliage), a circle (clouds, perhaps?), and a rectangle shape.  

You will start with an A6 size canvas, and work your way up to an A4. This means you will get to make several pieces of art, not just one. We will have 10 of each size available per person. That’s a maximum of 30 pieces of art! The canvas is glossy photo paper, so your paintings are stackable and compact.

Regina will give you an explainer on how the wax works, and walk you through some techniques and movements that create stunning effects. Don’t be afraid to get in there and try; all the wax can be removed so you can start again. Paintings from 10 years ago can be changed today.

This method is extremely beginner friendly. Regina even did this as a little kid. The only thing you need to be able to do is hold a hot iron level, with the hot side up, and use your other hand to apply the wax without it dripping off.

So… Don’t burn yourself please!

To showcase some of the fun things you can do with your paintings (waxings?), you can choose to make earrings and bookmarks! We will have surgical steel earring hooks available, as well as several sizes jumprings and a set of pliers. First we cut the shape in the painting, then we stick it inbetween clear sticky film and cut the shape out again, allowing there to be a border of just the film. The same goes for the bookmarks, but don’t worry, we have a guillotine available for those straight lines! Make a hole for the jumprings or a piece of string, add some beads if you like, and done! Feel free to look through your wardrobe and cut out those loops in the shoulders. You can use those for the bookmarks!

Making the earrings can be a lengthy process. If you get lost in the art, or Regina can't get them assembled for you in time, we'll send them to you after the workshop! Just let Regina take a picture and tell them your plans.

At the end, we’ll go around the room to showcase our favourite pieces, and see what shapes we can discover in the wax. A face? An animal? What do we think it says about your mood? It is intuitive, after all.

What's included?

1. All the supplies you need to paint your own pieces, including a hot iron each, 48 wax colours, one hot plate and a hairdyer for a special technique.
2. 3.5 hour guided session with a short break
3. Jewelry making supplies, like surgical steel earring hooks and jumprings.
4. Beads and tassels from op shops, yarn/string (BYO clothing strings encouraged!)
5. Music set to vibe
6. Chats, laughs and a good time
7. Tea, coffee and snacks

You do not get to keep the supplies, unfortunately, but if you’re interested in pursuing this medium, please do let us know and we’ll happily help you on your way.

FAQs

Is the venue accessible?

Yes! The Studio is wheelchair accessible. So that we can make you more comfortable, please let us know when registering if you have any particular accessibility requirements. You will have loads of space to sit at the table.

Is there parking/public transport access?

On street parking is available right outside the Studio along Camberwell Road. We are also just across the road from the Camberwell Civil Centre #75 Tram stop.

What should I bring?

Comfortable clothes that you don't mind potentially getting messy. Perhaps avoid synthetic materials if you can.

Do I need any painting or drawing experience?

Absolutely not! This is extremely beginner friendly. If you can handle a hot iron safely, you can do this.

Do I get to take my painting home?

Yes of course! The encaustic paintings dry immediately. If you’d like to make more complicated earrings or other things, Regina can assemble them after the workshop for you to pick up later.

Is there an age limit for this event?

Absolutely not! If you can handle a hot iron safely, you can come!

What if I can't attend on the day?

We understand that things happen and life can get in the way! If you are unable to attend the workshop please let us know as soon as possible. If you let us know more than 7 days before the event we can refund your ticke