Stephani Stephenson on thu 2 may 02
This word has is applied to two very different processes with very
different materials
'Encaustic' tile refers to a type of tile which came into prominence in
Northern Europe in the middle ages.
Encaustic tiles, rich with heraldic designs , were used especially for
flooring in churches and abbeys. various colors of slip (cream, iron
red, etc.) and clay were inlaid to create contrasting designs in the
tile itself. This technique was revived in the 19th century during the
gothic revival, particularly when it came time to replace some of the
medieval tiles ...also the 'encaustic' tile process was updated with the
introduction of the dust press techniques and the invention of the
'encaustic ' tile press in the mid 1800s.
However I wonder if the question about using 'encaustic' on ceramic had
more to do with the painting technique called 'encaustic'. I am not
familiar enough with the technique and materials to describe it exactly
but it does involve painting with pigments imbedded in a wax medium.
Though I haven't used 'encaustic' wax media per se, I have used wax
and oil based mediums as a way of introducing finishes and color on
clay.
I have used Oil Bars (Winton/ Winsor Newton makes them with high quality
pigments), either thinned with a thinner and applied in washes or
applied as is to the clay surface , then gone over with a propane torch
to melt the color into the clay. I have also done this with oil pastels
and 'cattle markers'.
Cattle markers are made by the same company that makes another brand of
Oil paint sticks, only cattle markers don't use artist grade pigments
and have extra ingredients 'to make the mark stay on the cow'. Yet they
are inexpensive compared to the Winsor Newton Oilbars. Both have a
certain wax content.
I have use water based oils,(Grumbacher makes a line of water based
oils... these are made with a linseed oil base only the linseed oil
molecule has been altered so that it will thin with water: this is
great for people who don't want to or cannot use solvents and other
thinners)
thin these with water, and appl as a wash to the clay.
Also I have used wax, with pigment from crayons and pastels and
powdered pigments. Warm up the clay surface then apply wax , and it
soaks in nicely.
I tried many waxes for finishing pots, some, such as paraffin, and also
artist grade wax mediums, later produced an efflorescence on the surface
of the clay.... this may have to do with moisture in the fired clay...am
not sure... Some seemed tacky and attracted and trapped dust on the
pot.
I now prefer Trewax as a wax medium
as long as the piece is decorative ... try it out, take notes,
experiment a bit ...
Stephani Stephenson
steph@alchemiestudio.com
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