“Encaustic & Mixed Media Portrait Workshop: Exploring Experimental Techniques”

Join us for an exciting, hands-on Encaustic & Mixed Media Portrait Workshop, where creativity knows no bounds!

This immersive experience will guide you through the art of encaustic painting—an ancient technique using hot wax—combined with a variety of experimental mixed media methods to bring your portrait to life.

Over the course of the workshop, you'll explore layering molten wax, incorporating pigments, and adding textures through collage, found objects, and unconventional materials like textiles, fibers, and natural elements. With a focus on experimentation, you'll discover how to fuse photography, drawing, and abstract mark-making into your work, creating dynamic and unique portraits full of depth and personality.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, this workshop encourages playful exploration, pushing the boundaries of portraiture. With step-by-step demonstrations and individual guidance, you'll walk away with a vibrant, multi-dimensional piece, reflecting your personal style and newfound techniques.

Materials are provided, and creativity is unlimited. Come with an open mind and leave with a masterpiece!

4-Day Encaustic & Mixed Media Portrait Workshop: A Journey into Experimental Techniques

Embark on a transformative, four-day creative journey in this immersive Encaustic & Mixed Media Portrait Workshop, designed for artists of all levels eager to push boundaries and explore the limitless possibilities of experimental techniques. Combining the ancient art of encaustic painting with modern mixed media methods, this workshop will provide you with a rich, hands-on experience in crafting expressive, multi-dimensional portraits.

Day 1: Foundations of Encaustic Painting and Portraiture

• Morning Session: Introduction to Encaustic Art Begin by learning the fundamentals of encaustic painting. We’ll cover safety practices, tools, and basic techniques for working with hot wax, pigments, and resin. Participants will practice layering, fusing, and texturing to create beautiful surfaces that will serve as the foundation for their portraits.

• Afternoon Session: Portrait Studies and Sketching Dive into portraiture with a focus on composition, proportion, and expression. You’ll experiment with different drawing methods to create dynamic studies, which will later be translated into your encaustic work. The day ends with an introduction to transferring photographic images into wax, using personal photos or found images as starting points.

Day 2: Building Depth with Layers and Texture

• Morning Session: Image Transfers & Collage We’ll begin with advanced techniques for transferring images directly into the wax, seamlessly blending them with the encaustic layers. Learn how to embed paper, textiles, and natural elements like leaves or fabric into your piece, adding rich textures to your portrait.

• Afternoon Session: Working with Pigment and Oil Sticks Add depth and dimension to your portrait by experimenting with pigment powders, oil sticks, and pastels on top of the wax. Discover how these materials interact with the encaustic surface to enhance your work's vibrancy and texture. You’ll also explore scraping, incising, and gouging techniques to reveal underlying layers and create a sense of history and complexity in your artwork.

Day 3: Experimental Techniques and Mixed Media Integration

• Morning Session: Introducing 3D Elements & Sculptural Techniques Step outside the two-dimensional frame by incorporating found objects, wire, or fabric into your portrait, creating a sculptural effect. You’ll learn how to build up the wax to create high-relief areas and explore ways to embed objects into the surface for added meaning and impact.

• Afternoon Session: Combining Drawing, Painting, and Wax This session focuses on blending encaustic work with traditional drawing and painting methods. You’ll experiment with graphite, charcoal, and acrylic paint, integrating these elements directly into your wax surface. This fusion of materials will encourage you to rethink traditional portraiture and embrace a more experimental, abstract approach.

Day 4: Refining and Finishing Your Work

• Morning Session: Refining Details and Adding Final Layers On the final day, you’ll refine your portrait by adding delicate details and fine-tuning your layers. Learn subtle encaustic techniques such as glazing and wax burnishing to give your portrait a polished, luminous finish.

• Afternoon Session: Personalized Feedback and Group Critique The workshop will conclude with a supportive group critique, where each participant shares their work, receives feedback, and reflects on the creative process. The instructor will offer personalized suggestions for enhancing your piece and advice on preserving and displaying encaustic works.

From all of us here at EOM

You are warmly invited to stay a while.

We invite you to imagine standing on the panoramic hillside of our studio, taking in the spectacular views of Clew bay and Croagh Patrick (Ireland’s holy mountain).

Open your heart to the profoundly moving drama of constantly shifting Atlantic skies, reflecting an ever changing light show on the bay. The wildness and drama of this spectacular area belie the peace and connection you will feel to Ireland and to this very special place.

Lay on a blanket in the heather and watch the stars emerge on a clear night or walk along the rocky shores, to gather shells, driftwood and memories. Find yourself letting go of the stress of everyday life, feel the mystery and beauty of this land, awakening your senses.

This unspoiled place provide a safe place of inspiration and experimentation to stretch your skills in whatever medium you are working on, in an amazing state of the art studio..

Join us in Mulranny, Ireland.

Dream about the history of past times, evident in every field with old stone walls, every stoic castle and each abandoned cottage.

Local Villages

Meet the local people, warm, friendly and always happy to chat and share a story or a cup of tea. While you're here, take some time to explore the charming village of Westport, where you can shop at the quaint stores and perhaps stop by a local pub or two.

Connect with Nature

Finding something to inspire you is not hard with the richness of the various eco systems surrounding Mulranny - from marine to mountain landscapes, with grasslands, bog and heather hills - this enchanted land casts a spell on any artist.

Enriching Excursions

Visit historic sites. Learn about the infamous Irish Pirate Queen and visit one of her many castles. Hear the story of our Stone Age ancestors and experience the myths and magic of Irelands spiritual roots while standing in one of the ancient stone circles. This is indeed a land of legends!

Find Your Inspiration

Make sure to pack your camera and sketchbooks because you're about to embark on a journey that will capture your heart and fill your mind with boundless inspiration. Prepare to be swept away by the sights, sounds, and stories that make this place truly magical.