Accidents happen, and the beauty of encaustic is that it can often be repaired by re-heating the wax, unlike many other mediums.
If you have a damaged encaustic painting that is in need of repair, I always recommend you go back directly to the artist to discuss repair options.
Sometimes, that isn't possible, and that's why I've created this resource to help you through some of the ways you could try to repair the damage yourself.
I often receive requests to give guidance to people on how to repair paintings
Encaustic repair is tricky, it has many potential variables, and isn’t something that can be explained simply over an e-mail from a photograph.
This resource explains some of the things to look out for, how you could approach a repair, tools you might need, different ways to attempt the repair - there's never one single way, it's a case of establishing which is the most suitable for your individual case.
There are never any guarantees on repair, as each painting is individual and presents a different challenge each time. I accept no liability if a repair does not work, or potentially devalues a painting.
However, this set of videos should give you enough options and confidence to attempt to repair the painting yourself when it's not possible to go back to the original artist.
I show you how to test out the repair techniques on a test piece before moving onto your damaged painting. There are also options for extra support if you need it.
Occasionally, if the damage isn't too bad, you can actually repair the painting without any additional materials, using natural heat, so I have left that video as a free preview and example of the video content contained within the course, if this is enough for you to repair your painting, please let me know that it was helpful, I'd love to add it as a testimonial!
Your Instructor
I first discovered Encaustic Wax Art in 2012, and it was love at first sight! I was absolutely entranced by this magical medium, and set out to learn as much about it as I possibly could. It touched me on a soul level like no other. On exhibiting my work, it seemed people were as entranced by this medium as I was, and so my teaching began. I've run workshops, demos, art talks and 1-1's to thousands of people over the years, from small art clubs, to The National Honey Show, and Living Crafts, helping complete beginners, who claim not to draw a straight line, through to professional artists wanting to expand their skills. Teenagers to grandparents. I am passionate about sharing this medium, which is a truly healing art form, I've seen it's therapeutic benefits time and time again, so, I'm on a mission to share it with as many people as I can, in a fun, friendly, and accessible way for all.
Course Curriculum
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StartIntroduction (6:57)
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StartSome of the variables, tools for repair & fusing (17:25)
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StartPaintings I've repaired - Be aware of COLD wax - not to be heated (2:11)
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StartHiro Yokose - My observations, discoveries and recommendations (0:45)
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StartFusing (11:21)
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StartBlooming & Polishing (6:54)
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PreviewMinor repairs using manipulation and natural heat sources (3:05)
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StartRepairs of wax art on paper (5:47)
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StartPractice on a test piece (18:57)
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PreviewNeed more help?
Frequently Asked Questions
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Testimonial:
"I've been going slowly with this project and am still not 100% where I want to be--but I'm close! My wife is floored that it's come as far as it has, but I don't think it's perfected quite yet.
Most of the work was fairly straightforward, and as you specified in your coursework. I went slowly, and managed to get almost all the repairs done with low heat heat gun repetition and a lot of polishing with a microfiber cloth--which, as you indicated in your blogs, is incredibly cathartic work. I spent hours with it, thinking of nothing but the process.
Anyway, the areas that were tricky were the ones where there were cracks or significant breaks. As you know, those take a while, and the beeswax has to be heated to a point of liquidation where the air under often forms a gap. eventually it settles down, but often you're left with some unevenness in that area that takes time to work out. For me, there was a significant crack in the lower middle of the piece that was the trouble spot, along with a couple of the larger white separation pockets.
- Client, USA