We are all delighted to welcome you to Essence of Mulranny, the coolest little Art School in the Wild West of Ireland for the fifth year of Painting with Fire! This is our year-long Encaustic masterclass with new lessons every week!
Online classroom is best viewed on a desktop.
Sharing their knowledge and expertise on all aspects of this wonderful medium. Click on each photo to read about their background, and see the lesson summary.
You can also check the teachers’ featured workshops, online events, or exhibitions below.
Huge thanks to Michelle Belto for working so hard to provide this to all of us.
The course starts on 23rd April, 2025 with all subsequent lessons to be posted here on Wednesdays at around 7am EST.
(More classes to be uploaded below.)
Class by Elizabeth Schowachert
This workshop, conducted by Elizabeth Schowachert, explores the creation of abstract to semi-realistic images using encaustic monotype techniques. Participants will learn methods to print with wax, utilizing silicone drawing tools, carbon, and R&F encaustic paint.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Michele Randall with spotlight on Flo Bartell
Love cyanotypes but hate waiting for the sun? While sunlight is ideal for cyanotype printing, cloudy days and winter months can limit your options.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Flo Bartell
In this video, we will introduce a few of the many ways artists can use encaustic in sculpture. We will see how armatures can be constructed while considering the importance of stability and absorbency. We'll take a look at helpful tools and talk about useful found material as we see how a figurative sculpture can be completed.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Lora Murphy (With bonus class from Debra Claffey and spotlight on Sharon Gottula)
We’ll explore innovative ways to work with encaustic using lightweight, accessible materials that make creating larger pieces more manageable—both physically and creatively.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Sharon Gottula
Capturing the luminosity, depth, and texture of encaustic paintings can be challenging—not to mention achieving accurate color reproduction. However, we know that exceptional photography is the key to getting into juried shows, impressing gallery owners, and creating stunning art prints.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Lyn Belisle with spotlight on Shary Bartlett
Experience the harmony of two ancient artistic traditions in this hands-on mini-workshop for Painting with Fire, blending the fluid elegance of Sumi-e painting with the luminous depth of encaustic wax.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Shary Bartlett
Shary shares how to combine photographs from your cell phone or camera with rich layers of encaustic and cold wax medium to create beautifully layered, matte- and glossy-surfaced paintings that evoke narrative depth, emotion and enriched personal story telling.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Bridget Benton with spotlight on Linda Robertson
Everyone knows that blue and red make purple, right? Except when they don’t! This is the color refresher you didn’t know you needed, with low-jargon explanations about how to get the most from your encaustic paints. Ideal for folks who aren’t fond of technical terms but are tired of mixing mud.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Linda Robertson with spotlight on Melanie Williams
Your painting is finally complete, and you're ready to share it with the world—whether it’s by posting on social media or sending it to collectors. But before you call it “done,” there are a few essential steps that can take your artwork from good to exceptional.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Melanie Williams
Discover how to bring atmosphere and depth to your encaustic paintings in this engaging, hands-on workshop with artist Melanie Williams. Designed for artists of all levels, this session will guide you step-by-step in creating a tranquil scene featuring mountains, trees, a serene lake, a boat, and subtle details like a wire fence and surrounding foliage.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Isabelle Gaborit
Encaustic painting is a dynamic and tactile process where every touch makes a difference. This session focuses on refining your brushwork, mark-making, and blowtorch techniques to create depth, texture, and expressive compositions.
We’ll begin by exploring brushwork techniques, from delicate strokes to bold gestures, demonstrating how pressure, brush angle, and layering can shape your painting’s visual impact.
Watch lesson here.
Class and spotlight by Jodi Reeb
You will explore working with encaustic paint with an emphasis on color and your unique expression. We will work with a warm and a cool palette focusing on color relationships and color mixing. There will be something for everyone! I will discuss ideas to paint contemporary paintings from reference photos working in a series to create a new body of work. Through this process, you will discover your own preferred subject matter.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Regina Quinn
In this demonstration lesson I will share some of the archival and aesthetically pleasing practices I use to securely mount, mat and frame my encaustic works on paper, particularly techniques for displaying encaustic-infused paper with lovely deckled edges. I will also touch on how I finish edges and frame my encaustics on panel preserving and protecting those lovely, undulating wax edges.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Alaina Enslen with spotlight on Bettina Egli Sennhauser
Elevate your encaustic artwork by adding texture, dimension, and personal meaning through thread and stitching techniques. You’ll learn six versatile stitching methods, discovering how to use thread as a line to guide your compositions and enhance the depth of your work.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Bettina Egli Sennhauser with spotlight on Seán O’Grady
"Linescapes" is all about using lines as a form of storytelling—without words, yet full of meaning. Whether drawn to expressive movement or quiet detail, this workshop will help to develop our own artistic language and bring new energy into our encaustic work.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Seán O’Grady with spotlight on Anne Wright
You are probably asking, "why is there a photographer giving their perspective for photography to a bunch of painters, and other visual artists?"
Watch lesson here.
Class by Anne Wright
Every artist has a voice, a distinct way of seeing, feeling, and translating the world into creative expression. It’s more than style, more than technique. Your voice is the unique combination of your experiences, values, curiosities, and ways of making meaning.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Gabriela Sánchez with spotlight on Kelly Williams
Gabriela invites us to think bigger, literally. Moving from small to large-scale encaustic work requires not only courage but also careful planning and practical know-how.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Kelly Williams
In this workshop, you’ll explore the power of ash as a storytelling material—whether sourced from the land, personal rituals, or nature’s remnants. You’ll learn how to work with these elemental substances and incorporate them into your creative process, using them to infuse your artwork with the essence of place, memory, and transformation.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Pamela Caughey
You will see in this video series 6 main stages of my process.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Shelley Jean
Unlock the secrets to running a successful encaustic workshop! Whether you're an experienced encaustic artist looking to share your knowledge or a workshop facilitator wanting to expand your offerings, this course provides the essential tools to create an engaging and educational experience for students of all levels.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Linda Robertson
In this workshop, we’ll immerse ourselves in the process of transforming invisible emotions—like passion, grief, hope, and inspiration—into powerful, vibrant paintings. Using the language of art, we’ll give shape and substance to what we feel but often can’t see or express.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Kelly Milukas
Learn the basic properties of dry pigment Pastel’s. Understand the many makers of Pastel‘s, the quality differences, and uses for each. See a swatching demonstration with 20+ Pastel Paints onto card paper and onto grit sanded Pastel paper.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Sharon Gottula with spotlight on Dietlind Vander Schaaf
Learn how to efficiently organize, archive, and edit your artwork using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. This class walks you through setting up a streamlined workflow.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Dietlind Vander Schaaf
Beyond The Basics introduces a range of mixed media compatible for working with encaustic including ink, Pan Pastel, stencils, graphite, charcoal, pencil, artificial metallic leaf, and collage.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Lorraine Glessner with spotlight on Elizabeth Schowachert
This slide presentation focuses on contrast in painting, highlighting a selection of contemporary and historical artists known for their innovative use of color, value, texture, form and more, to create dynamic and captivating compositions.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Elizabeth Schowachert with spotlight on Michele Randall
In this instructional video, I walk you through the process of adhering collage imagery to encaustic monotypes that have been mounted on wood panels.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Michele Randall
This workshop focuses on developing artistic ideas through small-scale collage studies. You'll begin by constructing an easy-to-assemble sketchbook, which will become your creative playground.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Flo Bartell with spotlight on Debra Claffey
Using wax, fabric, paper, and found materials, participants will learn how to build richly textured, dimensional surfaces that blur the line between painting and sculpture.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Debra Claffey
Learn to critique your own work as a way to improve, deepen, and find your best and most powerful voice. We'll make the critique process a useful tool that will bolster your confidence, help you find some useful language about your work, and talk about pitfalls to avoid.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Shary Bartlett with spotlight on Lyn Belisle
Combining photographs with encaustic and cold wax medium, Shary creates beautifully layered, matte and glossy paintings that evoke narrative depth, detail, and enriched personal story telling.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Lyn Belisle
Synthography is a revolutionary fusion of human imagination and AI-assisted image generation, offering artists a new way to explore and expand their visual narratives.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Lora Murphy
In this encaustic painting workshop,I explore the powerful materiality and sculptural depth characteristic of Anselm Kiefer’s textured surfaces.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Jodi Reeb plus continuation of Lora Murphy’s lesson
Create monotype prints using oil pigment sticks as the "ink" on Gelli plates.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Melanie Williams
Here’s a full encaustic workshop lesson on creating a Texture Grid — an excellent hands-on way for learners to explore multiple texturing methods in one piece. It’s playful, structured, and very effective in teaching range and technique.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Isabelle Gaborit with spotlight on Regina Quinn
Discovering your artistic voice is a journey of exploration, experimentation, and self-discovery. In this session, we’ll delve into how keeping a visual diary can help you uncover patterns, refine your style, and develop a deeper connection to your creative process.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Regina Quinn
During this session we’ll dip our toes in a bit of atmospheric science to better understand some of the stunning phenomena we observe while skygazing and then explore a multitude of ways we can use that knowledge as we work with encaustics and oils to convey “a sense of atmosphere.”
Watch lesson here.
Class by Megan MacDonald with spotlight on Alaina Enslen
Join Megan for this fun add on to her upcoming Heart workshop as she shares techniques that she utilizes to to finish her encaustic paintings using R&F Pigment Sticks.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Alaina Enslen
In this class, we’ll explore three of my personal sketchbooks, each dedicated to a different aspect of creative exploration: form and composition, color, and encaustic cloth collage.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Bettina Egli Sennhauser
In this workshop, we’ll dive into different ways of working with line - from bold, gestural strokes to delicate, structured forms. We’ll also experiment with asemic writing, a freeform, abstract way of mark-making that feels like a personal script without fixed meaning.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Seán O’Grady
Continuing on with "You Don't Take Photos, You Make Photos" series Seán revisits a crucial tenet all photographers should use with prudence... Cropping! This "revelation" came as recently as 3 years ago and has been an essential tool in his toolkit whether it's professionally in the field or in his many documentary/journalistic endeavors.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Megan MacDonald
Megan’s class, Lessons of the Heart, invites artists into a dynamic conversation between drawing, painting, and molten wax. The title itself suggests a meeting point between immediacy and depth, where the expressive freedom of mark making merges with the luminosity and transformative nature of encaustic.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Anne Wright with spotlight on Gabriela Sánchez
In this second 60-minute session, Anne Wright offers a series of guided reflections designed to help you articulate what is emerging through your art and uncover your authentic artist’s voice.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Gabriela Sánchez
Welcome to this encaustic masterclass where heat, wax, and gesture come together in a unique creative journey. In this session, I guide you through the process of working with hot surfaces—using a hot plate and encaustic iron—to create spontaneous, layered marks without using a torch.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Kelly Williams
In this workshop, you’ll learn how to use heavy paper as an effective substrate for encaustic painting, experimenting with various scales to create both figurative and abstract pieces.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Pamela Caughey
In this insightful session, Pamela shares her experience working with art commissions within an encaustic practice. She discusses how commissions can become meaningful collaborations between artist and collector, while still allowing space for creative authenticity.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Shelley Jean with spotlight on Kelly Milukas
Exploring History, Safety, and Complexities of White Pigments
White has long been considered the purest of colors, but in the world of art and pigments, the different variations of white—each with its own history, chemical composition, and application—are both fascinating and complex.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Kelly Milukas
In this exploratory session, Kelly demonstrates how to combine the soft, velvety qualities of pastel with the luminous depth of encaustic wax. You’ll learn how to bond these materials together to create layered, tactile surfaces rich in texture and atmosphere.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Dietlind Vander Schaaf with spotlight on Bridget Benton
Beyond The Basics introduces a range of mixed media compatible for working with encaustic including ink, Pan Pastel, stencils, graphite, charcoal, pencil, artificial metallic leaf, and collage.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Bridget Benton
In the fall of 2023, Bridget was both leaving her marriage and leaving for a month-long art residency in Ireland with fellow painter Kelly Williams.
Watch lesson here.
Class by Lorraine Glessner
Architect Christopher Alexander created a four-volume manifesto, The Nature of Order, in which he broke down good design into a few essential core principles. Not all design is painting, but all good painting is good design and one of the most important characteristics of good paintings is knowing how to use contrast.
Watch lesson here.Be sure that this supply list doesn't overwhelm you — use what you have. :) This list is just a reference. Don't let not having the "right" supplies stop you from creating. Here is a general list of supplies which will cover most lessons. Each presenter may use a range of specific supplies and you can see them in the individual lesson page.
Hot palette — If you are in the USA, Presto appears to be the preferred brand for stable heat.
Fire extinguishers
A surface thermometer
Metal containers for your wax. At a pinch, cat food containers will work but you can buy printmaking cans that are very useful because you can leave the brushes in them. This is a great product
A Heatgun and/or blow torch and I like to supplement with an iron(without steamholes) Blow Torch - Bernzoamtic or Iwatani. I like the Bernzo, ts3500 with the blue propane tank attached but some prefer the Iwatani as it is lighter. In either event please choose a torch that is button ignition and that you can make a tiny flame. Bernzomatic Torch: TS 3500 torch head with a propane tank.
Substrates of choice — Raw wood panels, watercolour paper, Awagami paper, Encaustibord. Encaustic works very well on raw canvas also and hessian, old book covers etc It is essential with many of the techniques to use a rigid substrate OR to later adhere the work to a rigid substrate. The exceptions to this are if you are mono printing or working very thinly.
Ephemera — old or new photos, pressed flowers or leaves rice paper or specialty papers, -old dress patterns, color copies, gold leaf, buttons, etc.
Encaustic Gesso, Milk paint or Chalk paint (can be various colours)
Encaustic Paints — A collection of colours encaustic paint
Suggestions for “go to” colors for mixing - Participants will want to have a blue, red and yellow that is a single pigment paint.
Blues: Ultramarine blue, Cobalt Blue, Anthraquinone Blue
Reds: Pyrrole Red, Quinacridone Red, Venetian Red
Yellows: Bismuth Yellow, Cad Yellow Medium, Yellow Ochre
White: Titanium white works best for my teachings
Wax medium
Scraper — pottery loop style
Painters tape no larger than 1”
Inks — India ink, alcohol inks, Tom Norton drawing ink (no acrylic inks)
Hake Brushes a few different sizes or any natural bristle brush
Adhesives — yes paste and wall paper paste work with Encaustic
Drawing supplies — pencils, charcoal, markers, neo color sticks, Pan pastels
Mark making tools
Dental tools, knitting needles anything that will make Palette knives, Any tools for carving or scraping into the wax.
Pencils, nails, ceramic or dental tools for incising
Metal objects to embed into the wax.
Brushes: two 4 inch hake brushes and a bunch of 1 inch brushes your paints,you can just use chip brushes if hake brushes are too expensive.
In Pan Pastels,
the colorfin panpastel metallics kit--set of 7 (incl 2 golds, silver, pewter, white, copper and bronze);
a few colors - blue, purple, green. There is a set called Susan's Garden which is fabulous!
Useful Oil sticks but totally optional:
Alizarin crimson
Burnt scarlet
Cadmium Green pale
Cadmium Lemon
Cadmium Orange
Cadmium Red Light
Cadmium Yellow Medium
Celadon
Burnt sienna
Burnt umber
table scrapers (putty knife) These would be 2" wide across the widest edge of the blade. Potter's loop (encaustic scraper) and the table scraper. I find straight razors to be an invaluable tool.
Is there adequate ventilation for encaustic? You need to have an open window and you can place a small fan in the opening, directing the air outwards.
The hot palette needs to be between you and the fan so the air is sucked out the window. Make sure that the palette is not smoking... if it is, turn the heat down and keep your brushes off it until it is cooler
Turn the heat up in tiny increments until the paint melts easily and your brushes move easily.
Use a surface thermometer and keep the temp around 175 f.
You do not need to melt the full square of paint at a time, just rub the edge of the paint square on the palette as needed. If you melt too much, push the extra paint down into the hole and collect it in a silicone/foil muffin form.
Will pigments be handled? No, do not use powdered pigments. If you need to make a colour, use oil paint with your wax.
Will solvents be used? No, keep solvents away from your encaustic work. The brushes can be cleaned by melting the wax off and wiping with a paper towel.
How will you protect your hands? Use disposable gloves and have a bucket of water nearby so that you can put your hand in if you burn it. Have a fire blanket in your studio.
What equipment will be used? Heatguns and Blowtorches should be handled with extreme care. Always use a blowtorch that has a trigger start. Take extreme care, to never touch the nozzle and always put the tools out of your way when they are hot.
Is there a first aid kit and fire extinguisher? These are items you should have in every studio or home so make sure you have them.
These are precautions that need to be taken and may seem extreme at first but being aware of them is very important to your enjoyment of encaustic.
Here are the other recent workshops and events of your PWF Vol 5 Instructors. You can support them by joining the workshops below.
Your Art Questions Answered Live at 20% off
Grab a mug of something good and join me for a private coaching session. Do you need help setting up your home studio or fixing a specific technical problem? I can help! Take advantage of some rare one-on-one time with me over Zoom to make the most of your efforts.
Current PWF artists take 20% off the prices listed here ➔
(Just include "PWF20" in your comment along with your email address when you purchase your session(s) and I'll reach out the schedule your session.)
Self-Study Videos
Encaustic & Shellac: 57 minutes, under $45 after discount
Wax Image Transfers: 113 minutes, under $60 after discount
Colorful Wax Scrolls: 96 minutes, $60 after discount
Encaustic Collage: 88 minutes, Under $50 after discount
Encaustic & Stencils: 47 minutes, Under $40 after discount
Use code PWF25NOW for 25% off ➔
Luscious Lines: Writing with Encaustic Wax Tools
Over 30 minutes of instruction for USD $40
More info and registration here ➔
Page Turners: Coil-bound Encaustic Books/Visual Journals
60 minutes of instruction for USD $60
More info and registration here ➔
15% off ALL Shary Bartlett ONLINE VIDEO LESSONS. Use code PWF5SB
https://sharybartlett.newzenler.com/courses2
Elizabeth Schowachert Shop
Get 20% off your order by using the code “PWF25” when you shop at elizabethschowachertart.com
Linda Robertson
The Linda Robertson Tropical Set from Enkaustikos is inspired by Linda’s love of Hawaii, where she grew up and started painting. These are perfect for painting your favorite places, even when they are just a warm memory on a cool day. Get an *additional 15% off* this set using code “LR-15” at http://www.fineartstore.com . (That’s $42.72 instead of the list price of $66.99!)
Shary Bartlett
Get 15% off the encaustic instructional videos by using the code “PWF3Bartlett“ See complete list of Shary’s online workshops in the Workshop, Events, Exhibitions section above.
Get 15% off any Shary Bartlett sets by Enkaustikos, selected to create beautiful color mixes. Artists new to color mixing with encaustic paint will find these a great foundation palette while seasoned mixers will discover layers of depth and nuance. Use discount code “SB-15” for 15% off http://www.fineartstore.com
Encausticpaints.com
Use the code LMPWF5 to purchase from https://encausticpaints.com Code will be valid from 04/01/2025 until 03/31/2026
FineArtStore.com
Use the code LMPWF5 when purchasing the following products through www.fineartstore.com Valid from 04/01/2025 until 03/31/2026
Important: You must note the discount code on the order (even though it does not come off automatically) as Fine Art Store have no way of knowing that you are with Painting with Fire unless you note this coupon code!
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