Saturday, March 10, 2007

Hello! I am an artist in Massachusetts in need of some advice. I have been painting on Hydrocal for the past 2 years -- using gouache and watercolor and charcoal.  I then throw some beeswax on it to give it a great, waxy look (heating it).  Here is my question. I've skimmed several panels with a mix of hydrocal, gesso, acrylic mat medium....gives the panels a great plaster look.  I would like to give the finished paintings the same, cool encaustic look but know it's tricky with the polymer mediums I've used....any ideas?  The paintings are gouache and charcoal mostly...some acrylic but not much. Thanks for any ideas. 

Anne

Anne, I'm a little puzzled about just what you are doing.  Are you painting on gypsum walls?  I don't get putting beeswax on any kind of painting.  You might try asking at Middletown, Connecticut.thats fairly near you.  Would you kindly post some of your paintings so we can see what you are doing?

thanks y'all for writing back.  The reason I like the beeswax as a final touch is look of it..all aesthetic.  I like heating it up and I like the smoothness of it..just brings the painting together.  Acrylic varnishes just don't have the same appearance. I tried to upload an image and failed..if anyone could guide me.  Otherwise my website is www.aghart.com  "easy as" and "not done yet" are good examples of using the wax. I wish I could do the same for larger pieces.  My question was that sometimes the wax doesn't adhere -- I must be using a material that isn't compatible (do some watercolors have a questionable ingredient??) -- and I'd like to know if anyone works with wax and mixed media. Thanks.

Monday, March 12, 2007