Meet my new best friend in the studio. I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to get on board with a torch. I’ve procrastinated about it for months, and didn’t realize that underneath that procrastination was fear. Until I was in Carmel for the IEA retreat in October, and was faced with a bevy of torches, waiting to be tried. It was the last morning, and a wonderful demonstration had been given by Pamela Blum. We were invited down on the floor to try out some of the techniques she had demonstrated, and I found myself hesitating around the torches. I hadn’t even realized I was afraid of them until that moment. Linda Womack saw me, and must have sensed my trepidation; she rescued me with a two minute lesson that has cured me of my torch phobia!
I went out as soon as I could and purchased a basic torch, with a few necessary frills: an adjustable nozzle, and an automatic ignition trigger. It’s a Bernzomatic propane torch from Home Depot, and it cost about 35 dollars.
I don’t know how I got along without this thing before! It works so well for every application, that I haven’t pulled out my heat gun a single time. It is much more gentle than the heat gun, and doesn’t move the wax around nearly as much. I can even fuse lightly while a large piece is upright on my easel. I think it produces a glossier surface than my heat gun did, too.
And the best thing about it is- its fast.
Well, maybe the best thing about it is that I haven’t lit my hair on fire yet. So far, so good.
5 responses so far ↓
Margaret // November 3, 2009 at 3:20 pm |
I found this review of using a torch very helpful. I’m relatively new to encaustic painting and I am finding the heat gun blows the wax too much and it is either too hot or too cool depending on my settings and the closeness/distance from the work. I can’t seem to get the happy medium. Like you, the idea of an open flame puts me off. You’ve given me something to think about now. I like the idea of a glossier surface too.
amyf // November 4, 2009 at 5:14 am |
Wow – thanks for this post. I’ve been afraid to try it as well because of the flame (and because I have kids!). I will have to think about it some more too.
Stephanie Clayton // November 4, 2009 at 8:43 am |
This is timely for me- I’ve just begun studying encaustic. The goal is to begin using this wonderful medium once my studio cools off a bit (Caribbean winter is coming…)
I definitely want a smooth surface and more control; so I’ll try the torch instead of a heat gun.
Glad you shared this. Thank you.
Diane Bailey Haug // November 4, 2009 at 8:03 pm |
OK, Lisa I am going to have to face my fear as well. I think I told you my grandfather and his father were both fire chief’s and put the fear of fire into me~~~Since they are both dead I should become a fire starter….Thanks for posting this.
Flo // November 12, 2009 at 10:59 pm |
I’m still debating the torch issue. Thanks.