Trusting Process: An Encaustic Workshop
Masterclass: Encaustic Painting with Marieke Dench
Join nationally recognised artist and educator Marieke Dench in the Chapman & Bailey studios for an immersive encaustic workshop centred on process, intuition, and the slow building of a visual voice.
A brief introduction to encaustic
Encaustic painting is an ancient technique, practiced for more than 2,000 years, that brings colour to life through heat. Using molten pigmented wax, artists build layered surfaces that are fused, reworked, scraped, embedded, and polished. The word encaustic comes from the Greek enkaiein - “to burn in” - a reference to the way each layer is bonded through heat and time. Both tactile and forgiving, encaustic invites play, experimentation, and presence. Process is not just a method, but the guide.
About the workshop
This two-day masterclass is designed to help you trust process as a pathway to creative clarity. Through guided prompts, demonstrations, and open experimentation, participants are encouraged to let go of perfection and allow the work to unfold. Layer by layer, patterns emerge - revealing material understanding and a visual language uniquely your own.
About your Teacher
Marieke Dench is a treat to learn from, an accomplished artist with over 25 years of exhibition experience, Fine Arts qualifications from the Victorian College of the Arts and First Class Honours from RMIT - Marieke brings deep technical knowledge and a generous teaching approach, helping students of all levels build confidence while exploring the rich possibilities of encaustic painting.
What To Expect:
- OHS Training: Create a safe and functional studio space for working with encaustics.
- Equipment Skills: Learn to choose and use the best encaustic equipment, including hotplates, heat guns, and gas blowtorches.
- Encaustic Painting Skills:
- Discover the most extensive range of handcrafted R&F Encaustic paints & mediums, including beeswax & pigment mediums and their opacity abilities.
- Be taught about a variety of supports as a base for your artwork – pre-primed boards, encaustic gesso boards, watercolour paper etc. Learn how to get the perfect encaustic base surface – fusing and hot iron tacking.
- Experiment with different brush types, encaustic paints, oil sticks, inks and other drawing materials.
- Learn how to create a wide range of textural surfaces – accretion, linen look, pigment dropping and scraping techniques.
- Learn a variety of collage and embedding techniques for prints, paper and objects into your artwork. Gain knowledge of how to transfer images from magazines, colour copies (of your own work) onto your support.
- Step-by-Step Guidance: From a professional artist
- Community: Connect and bond with fellow artists over a shared creative practice.
WHAT TO BRING
All essential materials are provided by the Chapman & Bailey Art Shop. However, bringing a selection of personal items will allow you to further explore the creative possibilities of encaustic.
Your sketchbook or journal (if you use one), and any photographs or reference materials you use to create images
Scissors (and a cutting blade, if you have one handy)
Second Day
Laser-printed images - the fresher the better (you may like to print images of your own work). Officeworks still has laser copiers. Not inkjet copies. We will discuss the types of images best suited to the laser-transfer process on Day 1, so you may wish to wait until then before making copies.
BYO Lunch There are a couple of cafés within walking distance of the studio. Tea and coffee are provided in our studio kitchen.
ADDITIONAL HELPFUL ITEMS TO BRING (IF YOU HAVE THEM)
(Not essential, as materials are available in the studio, but the workshop is a great opportunity to experiment, compare, and explore a wide range of materials.)
Papers and lightweight objects such as patterned serviettes, coloured Japanese papers, cotton, string, tissue paper (plain or coloured), dressmaking patterns, thin buttons, lace or fabric, and your own woodblock prints, etchings, or linocuts
Magazine images or book pages
Watercolours
Oil pastels
WHAT TO WEAR
- Closed toe shoes
- Protective clothing you don't mind getting dirty
You’ll leave with new technical skills, confidence working with encaustic, a collection of your own wax gems to take home and display with pride, and a creative warmth that lingers well beyond the studio.
Details:
Date: March 21st & 22nd
Time: 10am - 4:00pm
Location: cbOne Studios, level 1/1B Marine Parade, Abbotsford
Please contact us with any questions: workshops@chapmanbailey.com | +61 3 9415 8666
Details
You will learn
- The fundamentals of encaustic painting
You will get
- Tuition from experienced contemporary artist with your very own encaustic gem to take home & display with pride.
- Learn and bond with others over a shared creative practice.
- Help yourself to tea, coffee, and biscuits - our studio kitchen is open and stocked all day.
Appropriate for
Open to all levels
Preparation
What to bring
- Please see class description for more information
What to wear
IMPORTANT: Please wear closed toe shoes and long pants. We are dealing with very hot wax.
Your Teacher
Marieke Dench is a distinguished artist with a Fine Arts Degree from the Victorian College of the Arts and a 1st Class Honours Degree from RMIT.
With over 25 years of exhibition experience, Marieke's diverse practice includes painting, encaustic painting, printmaking, drawing, sculpture, and architectural installation. She has been the recipient of prestigious awards, including the Collie Trust Scholarship, the Silk Cut Award, and the Shell Fremantle Non-Acquisitive Print Award. Her work is held in numerous public and private collections, and she has undertaken major commissions in both sectors.
Marieke's extensive knowledge and passion for encaustic painting make her an exceptional tutor and mentor. She is dedicated to helping students of all levels develop their skills and artistic confidence. Her classes provide a supportive environment where students can explore the unique techniques and possibilities of encaustic painting under her expert guidance.
To see Marieke's work and learn more about her practice, see;
https://www.instagram.com/mariekedench/?hl=en
Organized by
Chapman & Bailey
21 reviewscbOne Studios - Chapman & Bailey, 1B Marine Parade.
At Chapman & Bailey, we believe in nurturing creativity at every level. For more than three decades, our team has supported artists, students, and cultural organisations with high-quality art materials, expert framing, and specialist art services.
The workshops at our Abbotsford studio are designed to connect experienced and acclaimed working artists with individuals looking to ignite or expand their practice - all experience levels welcome.
Each workshop is shaped by the artist and their medium, crafted to inspire curiosity, build confidence, and introduce participants to new techniques and beautifully made materials from our carefully curated art materials store next door.
We’re passionate about creating a welcoming, generous creative community where people can learn from and with the best, experiment freely, and grow creatively.
(03) 9417 7957
workshops@chapmanbailey.com.au
Cancellations & Refunds
If the organiser cancels the class:
You are entitled to a full refund.
If you can't attend the class:
You’re welcome to send someone in your place.
OR
- A transfer can be requested 5 days before the class starts. An admin fee of AU$50.00 applies.
- A credit note can be requested 5 days before the class starts. An admin fee of AU$50.00 applies.
No changes will be allowed after these times.
Terms & Conditions
CB Studios cannot offer any ‘make-up’ classes, courses or workshops missed.
Absences without notification will forfeit the full class/course fee and receive no credit. By proceeding with your booking you agree to our terms & conditions, and refund policy.
Should CB Studios be forced to cancel a class due to low enrolments, you will be notified as soon as possible prior to the scheduled class and will receive a refund, transfer or a credit voucher for a replacement class, course or workshop.
Collection of work and materials left at the studio: Please understand that our storage capacity is extremely limited. Work and painting kits will only be retained for one month after which they will be disposed of.
Anyone partaking in any classes or coming to any events at Chapman & Bailey or organised by Chapman & Bailey must agree to these terms and conditions
1.) LIABILITY WAIVER
I agree to take on full responsibility for any damages, injuries and for physical and/or personal property, which I might incur whilst participating in classes and/or events organised by Chapman & Bailey
2.) PHOTO & VIDEO
I agree to give Chapman & Bailey unrestricted publishing rights for any photographs or videos taken at Chapman & Bailey classes and events or on Chapman & Bailey premises. (For use of Chapman & Bailey marketing materials).
For any questions or queries please email workshops@chapmanbailey.com.au
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Trusting Process: An Encaustic Workshop
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