Why Learning Advanced Techniques Can Transform Your Studio Practice
One of the most exciting parts of being an artist is that there’s always more to discover. Every new technique opens up another way to approach the work, solve problems, and push your ideas further. That’s why learning advanced methods — whether through workshops or online courses — can have such a powerful impact on your practice.
Building on What You Already Know
If you’ve worked with encaustic monotype, you may already feel comfortable printing wax-based images. But adding carbon encaustic paint to your practice can change everything. By experimenting with different levels of carbon saturation and combining it with colored wax, you can achieve tonal effects that range from expressive abstract marks to images with the depth and weight of realism.
Expanding Your Vocabulary of Marks
Simple tools can become transformative when used in new ways. A silicone blade isn’t just for moving wax around — it can also carve texture, create fine lines, or manipulate ink layered onto encaustic monotypes. Learning how to adapt these tools gives you a wider vocabulary for expression.
Turning Curiosity Into Confidence
Sometimes the barrier to trying a new technique is not knowing where to begin. An online course can offer structured demonstrations and examples you can return to as often as you need. For instance, watching how a plate is prepared, or how ink is applied over a wax-based print, provides confidence that you can do the same in your own studio.
Keeping Your Practice Dynamic
Even if you’ve been working with encaustic or ink for years, advanced instruction can help you avoid repeating the same moves. Techniques like creating organic forms in wax, using droppers for unexpected textures, or layering ink into encaustic monotypes can refresh your process and open new directions.
Learning more advanced approaches isn’t about chasing perfection — it’s about keeping your practice alive, curious, and full of possibilities. Whether you’re exploring carbon in encaustic monotype, expanding your use of ink, or experimenting with new mark-making tools, every step into deeper learning adds richness to your work.