Crabapples Day One

I thought I’d NEVER get started on this today!  I spent all morning putting final coats on two other encaustics.  Each final coat led to ANOTHER final coat while I was taking breaks to frame completed pieces that were on the table in the next room.  And no doubt, I was an accident waiting to happen today - I bumped, spilled, dribbled, and smeared all day long.  I was definitely a danger to myself and others….  

I had this idea fairly well thought out but didn’t start till after 2pm.  This board has a ground of encaustic gesso, three layers of medium, then a couple of layers of blue medium followed by a isolating layer of clear medium. Then I transferred my first layer of design and began cutting away.

I have a slight idea of what I want to do with the first layer tomorrow.  I may change my mind after I sleep on it…..sleep is definitely in order.

I need Beeswax quick!

I’m out!  It’s ordered but I can’t make medium till it comes in.  Drat!  Poor planning….how did I let this happen?

Today I continued with the gourd foliage.  Carving, filling, and scraping back.  

Periodically I add a layer of medium, scrape back to a smooth finish, and fuse.  This layer isolates and protects the work I’ve done (to a degree) and adds depth as the piece builds.  

I still have pigmented wax medium on the palette so I can continue to work on the design, but I’m out of medium so I can only go so far.

When the beeswax arrives, hopefully tomorrow, it will take a few hours to prepare medium and get rolling again. This is where I left it tonight