Just the subtlest touches of encaustics and oils with beeswax over a watercolor base seem to bring out the best in each media and result in work that is truest to my experience of the beauty of the northern mountains.
There’s a special kind of light in the northern mountains at dusk in the late winter. Continuing my attempts at capturing large spaces in tiny paintings, this 6″ by 6″ mixed media piece started with a watercolor wash coated with encaustic medium. Then layers of encaustic paints and just a touch of oils with beeswax.
I’ve been working on very small paintings lately. The little 5 by 7 winter landscape features a watercolor layer coated with layers of encaustic medium and then oil paints mixed with beeswax and linseed oil.
Why do I paint with encaustics? The glow, the texture, the layers.
R and F paints make an Indian Yellow linseed oil and beeswax pigment stick. There’s something about the color and creamy texture that I keep returning to as I attempt to infuse paintings with the late day light of the Northern Catskills.
The Basic Creek Reservoir in Westerlo, NY. A daily source of inspiration – changing light, texture, color – and thriving with life. Anticipating the return of heron and eagles any day now…
I created this series by pouring a plate of gelatin on glass. I then cut masks and stencils using manilla folders and posterboard. I then applied ink to the gelatin plate, pulled the prints, and for some, did additional layers of encaustic wax and oil paints.