Information on grounds for use with encaustic wax paints./title><link href="wagnerStyle.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" /><style type="text/css"></style></head><body class="wagner"><div class="GreenTop"><div class="GreenMidTop"></div></div><div id="container"><img src="images/subHeader.jpg" width="749" height="96" style="margin:0; padding:0;"/> <div id="navcontainer"><ul id="navlist"> <li><a href="index.html">home</a></li> <li><a href="wagner_encaustics_about.html">about our paints</a></li> <li><a href="wagner_encaustics_colors.html">products</a></li> <li><a href="wagner_encaustics_shop.html">shop</a></li> <li><a href="wagner_encaustics_factsInfo.html" id="current"><span>encaustic facts & info</span></a></li> <li><a href="wagner_encaustics_workshops.html">workshops</a></li> <li><a href="wagner_encaustics_contact.html">contact</a></li></ul></div><div class="mainContent"><div style="margin-left: 134px; clear:both;"><div id="subNavcontainer"><ul id="subNavlist"> <li><a href="wagner_encaustics_factsInfo.html">practicality</a></li> <li><a href="wagner_encaustics_faq.html">faq’s</a></li> <li><a href="wagner_encaustics_safety.html">safety</a></li> <li><a href="wagner_encaustics_grounds.html"><span>grounds</span></a></li> <li><a href="wagner_encaustics_toolsUse.html">tools</a></li></ul></div></div><h1>Grounds</h1><h2><img src="images/class.jpg" width="377" height="226" align="left" style="margin: 12px 12px 12px 37px;" />Grounds </h2><p>To ensure a stable work surface, encaustic should be applied to a rigid dense surface such as birch plywood. Regular plywood with one clear side works as well. If you prefer canvas, it is recommended that you adhere canvas to birch panel to keep the wax from cracking. </p><p>It is best to stay away from water-based gesso with this medium due to its preservation property to resist moisture. There are several ways other than acrylic gesso that you can go about preparing your panel.</p> <h2>Raw</h2><p>You can begin painting on the raw surface of the wood with the wax. This of course is the easiest. You must make sure however that it is thoroughly fused with the heat gun before adding additional layers of wax. Also, due to chemicals in certain pressure treatments of the wood, you may find the wax resists it in some areas. This resistance can be remedied simply by applying more wax. Remember to fuse each time. </p> <h2>White Wax </h2><p>Wagner Encaustics offers premixed 6 oz. and 16oz. cans of Titanium White and Cairo Clear Encaustic Medium. Our Titanium White can be used as a ground, to tint colors or a color on its own. Made with Titanium Dioxide pigment, it is a fairly opaque white; ideal for creating initial layers. You can take advantage of the can lids and experiment mixing colors with the white. Our Cairo Clear is the traditional recipe of beeswax combined with organic resin. Ideal as an initial surface or to thin existing colors.</p> <h2>Paper</h2><p>Heavy printmaking paper such as Reeves BFK or any watercolor paper can be adhered to an initial wax surface by using a tacking iron sold at most art supply stores. You can also use Golden Fluid Medium and be sure the paper is thoroughly burnished to the initial surface eliminating all bubbles. Once the paper is ironed or glued down thoroughly with a scraper, you are ready to draw or add layers of wax. You can also collage thinner papers directly to the wax surface while it is still warm.</p> <h2>Uses for Fabric </h2><p>Another way to achieve interesting patterns and surface texture is by using fabric. You can use fabric as an initial surface provided you adhere it with a tacking iron. Lace ironed directly to the surface of a painting for example, produces a wide range of effects. You can imbed the fabric in the wax or emboss it by pulling it off to leave a print of its pattern. This is a fun way to experiment with the adherent nature of beeswax.</p> <p> </p></div></div><div class="GreenBottom"><div class="GreenMidBottom"><img src="images/we.gif" width="46" height="27" /><br /> <a href="wagner_encaustics_shop.html">ORDER ONLINE</a> | <a href="wagner_encaustics_workshops.html">WORKSHOP SIGN UP</a> | <a href="wagner_encaustics_jobs.html">EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES</a><br /><br />2009 - 2010 Wagner Encaustics, Inc. 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