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Encaustic Wax Altered Canvas

Jennifer Willis
Off-Road Inksters
Intermediate Scramping Team Designer

Encaustic Wax is a fun medium to work wit; it can be used to create beautiful backgrounds, images, and even fill work. What to do if a mistake is made? Just reheat and move the wax around. Any number of tools can be used to melt and work the wax, including a hot air gun, craft iron (with no steam holes) or heat stylus. You don't have Encaustic Wax? Crayons can be substituted and work almost as well. If you are interested in learning more about this fantastic product visit the manufacturer’s website for numerous tutorials and ideas.

Supply List:
Lily Cherub Stamp (About Art Accents)
Brilliance Galaxy Black Ink Pad (Tsukineko)
Contact Size Photo
Chalks (I Kan Dee)
Mod Podge (Plaid)
4x4 Stretched Canvas (Canvas Gallery)
White Cardstock
Black Gesso (Bob Ross)
Rhinestones (Swarovski)
Encaustic Wax in Dark Blue, Light Blue and Light Purple (Encaustic)
Encaustic Wax Stylus (Encaustic)
Scissors (EK Success)
Gold Alphabet Stickers (Pioneer)
Alcohol Ink in Wild Plum (Ranger)
Cotton Ball (Johnson & Johnson)
Foam Paint Brush (Unknown)

Instructions: 

1.        Prepare the canvas with a coating of black gesso and allow to dry. 

2.        Stamp the cherub image with black ink on the white cardstock and color in with the chalks. Then, trim the image out neatly. 

3.        Prepare the photo by trimming the head area to fit the stamped image. The trimmed photo should measure about 5/8" wide by 3/4" high including the hair and neck. Using Mod Podge, adhere the trimmed photo to the stamped image covering the existing head and allow to dry. 

4.        To create the background, heat the stylus and begin working the dark blue wax onto the surface of the canvas. Start about 1-1/2" from the center and move outwards to the edge in streaks, coating well, but not necessarily completely. I allowed some of the black gesso to show through to give more depth. Once the dark blue area is complete, add the purple beginning at the center of the canvas and streaking it out about 1-1/2". Finally, add a layer of light blue wax on top of the purple allowing some of the lower colors to show through. The three colors will mix as heat is applied, the quicker the wax is applied the less the colors will blend, leave the heat a little longer and the colors will blend nicely to produce an additional range of color. 

5.        Adhere the stamped image at an angle on the waxed canvas with Mod Podge. Add the rhinestones, adhering with a touch of Mod Podge, also. 

6.        The last step is to add the journaling. Determine where the journaling will fit, stick the letters to the canvas using a touch of Mod Podge. Once the letters have dried, take a cotton ball and swipe them with a touch of alcohol ink.

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