Transformations

Here they are - my encaustic painting palettes.  Because the paint must be molten to work with it, I have discovered that buffet warming trays from the 1970's are the ideal work surface.  It took a little bit of experimentation with stainless steel cups and a thermometer to map out the various hot spots, and determine what the tempuratures were for the different settings on each model.  These are my two favorites because their heating elements are very reliable and consistent. 

Non-stick mini muffin pans work great to hold the paint and encaustic medium.  When I make the encaustic medium I dip it into clean tins, pop them in the freeze for an hour or so, and they come out in perfect little pastilles for use when I make more paint, or to melt in the working palette.  I keep the palette with the paints 'pure' and move color onto my working palette (the one with the brushes on it) to mix and work from.  This keeps the pigments pure, and allows me to start clean for each new painting.  I just wipe all the mixed colors off the working palette and begin anew. 

I had a good day of painting (as well as an awesome bike ride along the river...) and have nearly decided the work on the 5 I have been working on are at a good point to stop.  I will decide tomorrow if they're ready for signatures.  If so, by tomorrow evening they will be photographed and posted here and featured at my etsy shop.  Come back and see the transformation from underpainting to encaustic.