Natural Impressions: Encaustic and Nature Print with Bridget Benton

Nationally known artist Bridget Benton, and long time Instructor for the Nature Printing Society, is bringing all new ways to embrace nature and make art with encaustic with this beginner-friendly class.

On the first day, we’ll cover nature printing techniques using leaves, vegetables, and other natural objects with nontoxic, water-soluble printing inks on a variety of papers. We’ll learn all the basics of gelatin plate printmaking with plants (So easy! So fun! So spontaneous!) and experiment with using other tools like stencils and textured materials for extra depth. The focus will be on creating prints that will work well embedded and layered in encaustic, though you’ll have a bunch of extra prints you can frame, turn into greeting cards, or use in all sorts of mixed media applications!

On the second day, you’ll learn the basics and safety of encaustics then dive into painting with wax! We’ll cover several techniques for collaging and embedding your prints into encaustic to create dynamic plant compositions full of depth. You’ll also learn how to embed pressed, dried botanicals directly in the encaustic as well as how make direct plant impressions into the surface.

This class includes two days of instruction and all materials – printmaking inks, dried and fresh plant materials, a variety of papers, encaustic medium, and up to four panels sized from 2.5”x3.5” to 8”x10”, as well as use of all the tools, equipment, and materials you will need to complete a number of encaustic pieces as well as a gob of nature prints! Bridget Benton has been working in encaustic as her primary medium since 2006, and designs her classes so that participants can arrive with nothing more than an attitude of exploration and have a great time!

This class is adult-oriented and students must be 18+