I started working with encaustics (wax) in 2008. I got a kit with an iron and stylus and everything and tried out the 'normal' method of painting with wax... I hated it. Then for Christmas that year I got a giant hot plate and tried the brush on method of painting with hot wax. That went OK. But the thing that really clicked with me was when I put the paper directly on the hot plate and started drawing with the wax. I haven't seen this any where before, so I hesitate to even tell you about it. But everywhere I have gone to show my encaustics I take along the hot plate and wax and let people play with it... and everyone loves it.
So if you need a new method to try... there you go!
This first picture is the first encaustic I ever did directly on the hot plate.
I had so much fun with the 'expanding' wax. I ventured into multiple colors after the first day.
Here are a few of my favorites that are still available. (I think. ...Most of my encaustics are at a gallery right now, so some of them could be sold. I'll find out in a couple of weeks.)
The issue with working directly on the hot plate is that I can't do any bigger than the heated surface.
All of these are fairly small: from 4x6" to 11x14".
