I love frog digits with their charming suction tips, the large, foreboding eyes that seem to draw you into their world, and those wide mouths that hint at a smirk—or perhaps a sly smile. Who knows? Frogs are the quiet kings of the pond, of any pond, reigning in understated majesty.
Years ago, when I first ventured into encaustics, I began with student-grade watercolor or mixed-media paper. Curious about creating my own encaustic medium and paints, I soon discovered that while the store-bought brands were cost-prohibitive, crafting my own supplies came with its own hefty price tag. The silver lining, however, is control—control over pigment load and wax strength, both of which are crucial. Embracing the science behind the art (as one must), I learned that the quality of my results depended entirely on the quality of my ingredients. The pigment brand truly matters. It’s important not to overlook the science: maintaining a temperature between 185- and 205-degrees Fahrenheit is critical, with 185 being the ideal sweet spot.
Years ago, when I first ventured into encaustics, I began with student-grade watercolor or mixed-media paper. Curious about creating my own encaustic medium and paints, I soon discovered that while the store-bought brands were cost-prohibitive, crafting my own supplies came with its own hefty price tag. The silver lining, however, is control—control over pigment load and wax strength, both of which are crucial. Embracing the science behind the art (as one must), I learned that the quality of my results depended entirely on the quality of my ingredients. The pigment brand truly matters. It’s important not to overlook the science: maintaining a temperature between 185- and 205-degrees Fahrenheit is critical, with 185 being the ideal sweet spot.
Correction: Fabriano paper is not a Dick Blick brand. You may purchase any of the supplies from various outlets. I am not paid to promote Dick Blick, but they are my preferred supplier.
Initially, I watched countless YouTube videos on working with a hotplate, as I wasn’t comfortable using a torch in my small workspace. Common sense quickly became my guiding principle. I didn’t come across any artists creating their compositions directly on paper atop the hotplate, so I began to experiment. Eventually, I transitioned to working off the hotplate with a heat gun, but my favorite method—by far—remains creating compositions directly on paper on the hotplate itself.
This frog piece marks my first large-scale mixed media work on a hotplate. I’ll be sharing more examples of my encaustic creations in the future.
Thank you for viewing
Michelle Carter ©