Encaustic & Mixed Media Portraiture and Figurative,

An exciting and hands-on workshop will investigate exploratory techniques and approaches in Encaustic Portraiture and Figurative art. We will focus on the creation of rich and expressive surface designs and original pieces done with a combination of encaustic painting and mixed media techniques. Throughout the workshop, some different demonstrations will be done, providing an extensive array of visually-stimulating possibilities for artists to explore. Both encaustic and mixed-media techniques will be covered, including creating alternative working grounds, using a wide variety of tools, altering the painting surface in imaginative ways, and utilizing original and exciting mixed-media techniques to create stunning effects. To support artists in their own creative path, topics on feeding and embracing the creative spirit, developing personal content through daily stream of consciousness journaling, adopting a multidisciplinary mindset and creating strong concepts in your art will also be discussed.For artists who are looking to shift their work to a new level, this workshop will be a valuable resource and an ongoing source for creative inspiration. Other techniques covered in this workshop include the use realistic and abstract imagery, pan pastels, collage, stencils, shellac, metal foil, mica paper, and tar.

Instructor/Artist Statement: I have always been fascinated by faces and from childhood, that is what I really wanted to paint and draw. All of my schoolbooks had doodles of eyes and lips, faces and figures. I remember clearly the discovery of perspective. I was about 7 years old and I had made a drawing of a group of people. Suddenly I realized that if I made a line behind the figures I could place them in a room… From that moment on I was totally hooked. I loved the old master Portraits and would look at them for hours, copying them in my sketchbooks and later trying to paint them. It was a real voyage of discovery and the joy and wonder of it has never left me. I still feel such a sense of amazement when I look at faces and try to analyse how the light hits and the cheeks curve or how the halftones can render the sense of volume. I love how the placement of colour can indicate shadows or reflected light and I get such a sense of joy from a portrait that I am satisfied with. I trained at a traditional Art atelier in Florence, as an oil painter but I discovered Encaustic about 12 years ago and just love it…