encaustic studies #2

or “how i can’t unlearn the wrong way”

the attempt was full of FAIL and GRR.

i’m working with smaller sized wood panels [about 4 x 4 inches]. the first application of wax over the sketches really looked promising … warmed the wood from the inside out with a golden glow. it was, as i said, promising … but also very very misleading.

the experts were right about one thing … you HAVE to work FAST. the wax hardens so quickly, you’ve got maaaaaaybe 3 seconds. working so briskly is not what i do. i realize it’s all about relinquishing control and just “letting go”, but that calls for me unlearning everything i have taught myself. even with the “Gentleman Studies”, with all its bold and expressive strokes, there was still a fair amount of control and not having to factor in the “hardening” element of solidifying wax.

not wanting to waste what i’d done [and redone, and redone again ... three times over], i abandoned the method i had read about and just laid down a thick bottom layer, applying heat with my heat gun to clean up the bristle grooves and allow the wax to pool naturally, creating a smooth surface [i still haven't mastered this as it is thick in some areas, thin in others]. once cooled, i took my size 0 synthetic brush, some linseed oil for thinning, and my palette and began painting on the surface of that. i don’t think i’ll be applying any wax over that [my last attempts ended in mussing the work i did underneath], but there is definitely the characteristic warmth that only encaustic work allows. the colors float just nanometers above the wood, suspended in wax, allowing light to reflect from the grainy surface, back to the viewer, amongst the dense layers of wax. it really is a beauty to behold. i only wish i could DO this correctly. instead, i’ll continue to do it, as Frank says, “Myyyyyyyyyyy Waaaaaaaaaaaaay”.

:\

pix later.

[and to think, Ela wanted me to TEACH this to people!!]