In picturesque Mapleton, Simone Eisler introduced a group of secondary students to encaustic painting using hot and cold wax. Simone described the medium and showed images of a variety of wax painting examples from other artists before presenting a series of sample boards which showed numerous techniques she had explored using the wax including collage, scratching and scraping, mixing and blending of colour layers, and creating textures. She encouraged each student to work with a ‘circular format’ – creating circles and experimenting within these circles. The students were then free to produce a final work or series of works utilising their preferred technique or a combination of them.
The workshop enabled the students to experience a novel artistic medium. Most of the group felt that the wax medium was versatile and easy to use. The circle format on board (into which they experimented with different techniques) was a good tool for creating a ‘palette’ from which to isolate favourite techniques for further development. Simone talked through the endless opportunities for working with wax in a creative way and gave other examples as the group experimented.
The workshop has the potential for various positive outcomes, from building confidence in students to experiment with hot and cold wax mediums further; to enabling Simone herself to challenge and extend her own artistic practice through refining her understanding of traditional applications of this technique. “I have no doubt that some students will incorporate several of the wax techniques in their work that they produce this year and in the future,” said Simone. “I also talked about the profession and career of being an artist/creative and encouraged discussion amongst the students around art making and their career plans.”
This workshop was booked as part of our By Request programs.
By Request programs are available on-demand, and can be booked on behalf of schools or creative communities such as groups, festivals, local government and organisations. By Request programs can be delivered by our Flying Arts Artist and Facilitator Team anywhere across Queensland.