Elizabeth Schowachert
Elizabeth Schowachert
Elizabeth has a deep connection with nature that she channels into her artwork. Based in Montana, Elizabeth is inspired by the captivating beauty of her surroundings and often uses found materials from her environment in her brush and tool designs. Elizabeth believes strongly in the power of connection. When she creates her designs, she is forming a connection between nature and the brush or tool she creates. And a second connection is formed when she works with the brushes she produces, as she develops a unique appreciation for the remarkable ability of her creations to make distinct marks that uncover inspiring visuals. With a deep respect for nature and a passion for art, Elizabeth is committed to crafting meaningful and beautiful pieces that evoke emotion and captivate viewers.
Elizabeth’s encaustic monotype work also speaks to this connection. Her practice reflects years of designing, crafting, and working with a wide variety of silicone tools in combination with carbon black encaustic paint.
Having taught in-person workshops in Texas for over a decade, Elizabeth relocated to Bigfork, Montana in 2019. There, she continues to offer a variety of courses and workshops online and still teaches in person in TX, with an emphasis on Sumi-e brushwork, encaustic monotype creation, and working with her fiber and silicone tools. Elizabeth's artwork has been displayed internationally in exhibitions spanning the US and Asia.
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You can view Elizabeth’s work at:
Silicone Tools: elizabethschowachertart.com/collections/silicone-tools
Carbon Black Encaustic Paint: elizabethschowachertart.com/products/carbon-black-encaustic-paint
Xuan Paper: elizabethschowachertart.com/products/chinese-raw-half-ripe-xuan-paper
Class Details
Part 1: Introduction To “Organic Fusion”
Creating the Painting Surface
Creating a Smooth Surface: Start by demonstrating how to prepare a smooth surface using encaustic medium. Discuss the choice of materials and tools, emphasizing the importance of this foundation for detailed work.
Using Texture to Create Your Surface: Move on to techniques for adding texture. Show different tools or methods for layering wax and how this impacts the painting's final look and feel.
Color Layers: Explain building up color layers. Demonstrate blending and layering to achieve desired hues and effects, and the impact on the overall composition.
Using Pigment Sticks to Enhance Surface Texture: Introduce the use of pigment sticks. Show how they add color and enhance texture, focusing on color selection, application, and blending techniques.
Working with Shapes and Pigments
Working with a Dropper to Create Shapes: Demonstrate using a dropper for precise wax application to create various shapes and patterns. Discuss control over the flow and amount of wax.
Creating Spheres: Focus on creating spherical shapes with a dropper, addressing the challenges and techniques for achieving interesting sphere shapes.
Organic Shapes: Show how to create free-flowing, organic shapes, encouraging creativity and experimentation.
Adding in Pigment Sticks to Enhance Color and Shape Definition: Use pigment sticks to add depth and detail to shapes made with a dropper. Discuss the interplay of color and shape, demonstrating blending techniques for seamless integration.
Conclusion
Wrap up by summarizing key techniques and concepts. Encourage participants to experiment with these techniques and provide information on how they can share their work with you or within an artist community.
Part 2: Mastering Incising and Ink Techniques in Encaustic Art
In the second part of your video workshop, we'll delve into the intricate world of incising techniques and the application of ink on the encaustic painting surface. Here, you will showcase your expertise in creating clean, crisp lines, outlining, and the art of wax inlay. This section will not only demonstrate the precision required for these techniques but also the creative possibilities they unlock.
Additionally, you'll explore the fascinating process of adding ink to your painting. This will include techniques for applying ink to both the top layer of the wax and beneath the surface layers, offering a deeper insight into the versatility of encaustic painting. Through this, viewers will learn how to integrate ink into their encaustic works, adding depth, texture, and color in unique and captivating ways.
This segment of the workshop aims to expand the participants' understanding of encaustic art, providing them with new skills and inspiring them to experiment with these techniques in their own creations.