I offer the following themed workshops, in my Guanajuato, MX studio
Introduction to Encaustic: One or two-day workshop includes information on the materials needed for this art medium including wax, heat sources, pigment, brushes and other applicators. Also covered will be history and safety, substrates and grounds, surface techniques, and sources. Each student will complete one or two sample boards, followed by a friendly critique and "debriefing."
Intermediate Encaustic: One or two-day workshop includes the recipes and techniques for making your own encaustic medium and encaustic paints, continuing with more advanced surface and texture techniques including transferring, stenciling, and stamping; combining other materials with encaustic for mixed media and collage; and relief or 3-D applications. Each student will complete one or two sample boards, followed by a friendly critique and "debriefing."
Advanced Encaustic: This one or two-day workshop continues the exploration into more advanced and less-used techniques for encaustic including rolling-on medium; embedding printed habotai silk and Japanese gampi tissue; experimenting with shellac, glue and spray paint burns; enhancing encaustic medium; and using pigment sticks, graphite and oil paint. A sizable time segment will be spent learning techniques of encaustic monotype. Finally, we will talk about adding hardware to finished pieces, packing and shipping, and professional presentation. As always, we will conclude with a friendly critique. Each student will have the chance to complete at least one sample board and several monotypes on paper.
Transferred and Embedded Imagery with Encaustic: Some characteristics of encaustic medium lend themselves well to receiving transferred or embedded images. These techniques enhance the ability of the artist to represent ideas using layering, perspective, and graphics. I use transferred and embedded images extensively in my work, and have experimented with a large variety of materials and methods. In this 2 or 3-day workshop, you will have a chance to play with and rate the phototransfers on sample boards, using 6 different types of printed surfaces, 3 methods of transferring, and 6 different ways of "sealing in" your transfers. We will also spend time learning how to correctly do a "dammed" pour which prepares for the transfer. We will also transfer other materials besides photo imagery, such as oil pastels, metallic foil, and charcoal pencils, onto both smooth and textured, clear and colored surfaces. Embedding: Using instructor's imagery printed on sumi paper, habotai silk, Japanese gampi tissue, and commercial napkins, we will embed these images into wooden panel bases which have received an "overpour" of encaustic medium. Students will learn the overpour technique as well as the adherence and "setting" techniques necessary to form a strong bond between the encaustic medium and the printed materials. Multiple overlaying embeds will create visual dimension, and the top layer may even receive a transfer. In addition to working on sample boards for transferring and embedding, students will have the opportunity to combine their skills and sensibility in at least one finished piece.
Paper Collage with Encaustic and Mixed Media Encaustic on Soft Supports: Using sumi and/or other lightweight porous papers as a base, and mindful of historical, compositional, color and textural considerations, we will collage other elements such as solid and printed tissue, strips and tears of other lightweight papers; human and horsehair, and threads. Melted encaustic medium will be our bonding agent. On day 2 we will bond the collages to soft supports such as cotton quilt batting, oil-absorbent sheeting, and a type of woven roofing material. Additional means of imparting design such as encaustic paints and image transfers onto these soft supports will also be explored. We will experiment with post-collage sewing as a linear element and well as attachment for other mediums such as wood and other natural material, metal, beads, and textiles. Hanging/presentation ideas will be discussed and demonstrated.
Encaustic Monotype: Using sumi and other porous papers, and mindful of historical, compositional and color considerations, we will print with encaustic paints off a heated surface in this one-day workshop. Silicone "drawing tools" and other materials/tools may provide altered and "subtractive" effects before the paper is printed. Melted encaustic medium will also be used when students want to render the paper translucent. To contrast with the more fluid look that hand-painting the heated surface provides, we will explore using "post-print" mark-making on the paper, as well as making and using stencils for the printmaking process. Mounting/presentation ideas will be discussed and demonstrated.
PRIVATE OR GROUP LESSONS IN SHERRIE'S GUANAJUATO, MX STUDIO
Fees: $100 (or current equivalent in Mexican pesos) for 6 hours private lessons, and $80 each for groups of 2- 6 students, including basic materials fee. (Some classes require a materials fee.) For private students, request your own class outline! All classes include a home-cooked lunch. Please contact Sherrie to select mutually convenient dates. Also check out the Calendar section for scheduled group classes.
"I consider myself very fortunate to have studied encaustic art under Sherrie Posternak. She is organized, thorough and generous with her knowledge. Sherrie has a very hands-on approach to teaching and makes learning new techniques fearless and fun. I look forward to taking more classes from her in the future." --Michele, Phoenix AZ
"I am new to encaustic painting. It seems like a very spontaneous medium... I am in a place that needs spontaneity and a new interest.
Most of my work comes from my photographs and I have quite a bit of experience with Polaroid Image Transfers; so photo transfers onto encaustic medium seemed perfect. I was introduced to Sherrie through a mutual friend; she suggested I take Sherrie's workshop. Sherrie's instructions were thorough, careful, very informative and fun. She would demonstrate a process, then I would do the same process. It is much better to be involved in the doing and not just watching. The worksheets she provides are equally informative. They answer many questions after you get back to your studio. With the photo transfers, we did several different papers and methods, using inkjet and laser images. It will make it easier to find the method that works best for me..
She is much more organized than myself, it was good to see how she has her studio setup and al the tools and equipment from various sources that she uses.
I was very excited for the opportunity to work with Sherrie, I had seen her website and liked her work very much. It seemed we photographed similar subjects. I was even more excited when we finished. She is a natural teacher." --Sally, Racine WI
"Sherrie is an excellent and generous teacher. I came away from her workshop with a "toolbox" full of new materials and techniques. Her Tucson studio is a wonderful environment for creativity and learning." --Deb, Cambridge MA