"Devereux Beach", 8" x 8" mixed media collage
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Etching with Wax
Last month I participated in a "plein air" paint event and I had decided to challenge myself by using the encaustic medium outdoors for the first time. The end result was a not so exciting mixed media collage. I was inspired by the beach, tide, rocks, and sand on the shoreline, but I did not feel I had the "plein air" expertise with encaustic to pull all of these elements together successfully. After retrieving my painting from the month long exhibit I was able to look at it with fresh eyes and I knew exactly what to do. Rather than building up additional layers of wax, I etched into the existing layers and I was able to bring more color into the composition surface. I also got lost in the process and found the repetitive etching marks to be a key addition to the revival of this painting.
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From the little I know about encaustic painting, I imagine it must have been quite a challenge to do it plein aire. I tried plein air silk painting once - what a disaster that was! It's great that you were able find a way to 'fix' your painting. It shows lots of the movement I'm sure you were after.
ReplyDeleteOh! This is just so beautiful! I can hear the waves crashing...!
ReplyDeleteI was after movement, Deborah. My entire series of water paintings are about movement and energy.
ReplyDeleteSherry, if any of your senses are stimulated by my painting then I know I did something right. : )
I will just say YES! to carving into the wax. It must have been fun.
ReplyDeleteThis is very Van Gogh-y which is a great compliment coming from me because he is my favorite painter of all time. You should continue with this technique. Isn't it interesting that sometimes our best techniques come about because we are less than thrilled with a painting?
ReplyDeleteHallie, the fun part was definitely being able to etch into a variety of colors that were painted in layers.
ReplyDeleteNancy, I just need to remember how many layers (lots and lots) of color it took in order to re-create this kind of mistake and do it again!