Wax and Paper Workshop: Techniques for Combining Encaustic Paint and Handmade Paper

I just received this book a few minutes ago. I've scanned the whole thing and am now eager to start trying to work more with paper and maybe even try to build the apparatus to make some. This book is extremely well organized and well illustrated. The examples are easy to follow and entice one to go further. Thank you, Michelle, for a wonderful endeavor. This is a beautiful and educational book that takes you through, step by step, the process of making paper by hand. The results are incredibly beautiful pieces of art. The paper could serve as a piece of art before doing anything to it. Then, adding encaustic (pigmented wax) to it, enhances the product. The combination of two dimensional visual art with textural and three dimensional components creates extremely pleasing visual effects. The book is written as if the reader has no prior knowledge of either paper making or encaustic painting so that for a novice or experienced artist the book leads you through exercises that will allow you to enhance your artistic expression. I recommend this to anyone with an interest in paper making, encaustic painting, or an adventurous artistic predisposition.

I’m almost always thrilled w books from this publisher, however, on this one, I was underwhelmed. Let me tell you why. The title of the book to be more reflective of the content would be better served as “Paper and Wax” as 70% of the content is paper focused. I didn’t like having almost 1/3 of the book dedicated to making paper. There are a lot of books on that subject. I would rather have seen those 50+ pages devoted to uses of different kinds of paper, but more importantly, more manipulations of the colors of wax and more of what you can do with it. So much of the book is monotone in natural wax color. I think they really missed the mark here.

This one of the best books about encaustic that I have come across. It fits my style of working completely. I have recommended it to my students. I can't comment on the "paper" portion of the book as that is not where my interest lies and I have little (practically no) experience in that area. Based on looking over that section and on the well done "wax" portion of the book, I can only guess that it is equally well done.

Michelle's book is good stretch out of the ordinary encaustic methods. It entices you to literally break out of the box to think 3D and offers unique methods as burning, covering boxes, adding 3D objects to build a composition. It makes a good reference book to refresh your concepts out if "staledom". I'm not into creating my own paper, only exploring all the papers already existing. That part is not of interest to me.

I've recently become intrigued with the encaustic medium and have been doing a lot of research. I've always been interested in making my own paper, just have never got around to doing so.This book is written so you can do one or the other, or combine both mediums in your finished product. What is so fabulous about this book is the manner in which the instructions are written. They're easy to understand and not so broken down that it becomes overwhelming. I can't wait to get my hands busy creating!

Michelle Belto is a superb teacher and her step by step instructions for so many different techniques for both paper making and for use of encaustic with it make an excellent reference guide. No artist working in either medium should be without this book. The illustrations and photographs make it something I enjoy looking at over and over again. Those who have only worked in encaustic until now should consider whether hand-made paper will enhance their message; if so Michelle Belto's book will serve as the perfect place to begin that dance!

I received this book last week and am very pleased, but not surprised, that Michelle Belto has written a marvelous how-to book about paper making and the use of paper foundations for encaustic work. Having been in one of Michelle's workshops this summer, I find this book written in the same clear explanation form as she uses in her work as an instructor. I highly recommend this book to paper lovers - beginners and experienced users.Dianna Woolleydiannawoolley.com

What a joy to look through, and then to dig deep for finding inspiration for taking encaustic and paper to the next level. Each section is easy to understand, and the photo documentation is fabulous! The "Tips" are a great feature, too, giving the reader an "inside" look into successful studio practice. This is one book I will be going to again and again. Thanks, Michelle, for translating your teaching skills to the written page!

Quite interesting but not very exciting. Probably good if you have no other books on the subject but it could have gone a lot further. The Kindle edition certainly needs some editing - headings on one page and the text on the next, and a great many typos.

Just what I needed. Good advice and loads of pointers. There were lots of combinations of materials which I hadn't thought of.

A lovely book with clear images. Arrived promptly. Would have given it 5 stars if some of the techniques were not so 'crafty' rather than 'fine art'.Still glad I purchased the book however.

Dalla copertina mi aspettavo un'altra cosa. Il contenuto e l'edizione sono molto da libro hobbistico e non artistico... Cercavo un'altra estetica e contenuti. Questa volta sono rimasta 😞

I purchased this book as soon as it was available. I have worked in encaustic for many years and this book was a valuable addition to my library. Not only did it provide me with information and examples I hadn't encountered before, it was an excellent refresher course in paper making. Michelle provides clear directions and lots of details on a variety of techniques. I have recommended this book to a number of encaustic artist friends.