Is Encaustic Wax Art Suitable For Children & Teenagers?
Encaustic painting is such a versatile and fascinating medium, and I’m often asked if it’s suitable for children and teenagers… so, I wanted to share Isabelle and Ava’s story, which shows just how encaustic can capture the imagination, regardless of age, and can evolve as you go.
Isabelle & Ava first came across encaustic art when I was demonstrating at Chiltern Arts Fest in 2015… At the time, they were a bit too young to have a go themselves, but they were captivated by the hot wax and all the ways to paint with it… they started experimenting with regular paints down in the childrens ‘Creation Factory’ and came back to see me later in the day to share their ‘splattering’ techniques… they asked great questions for ones so young, and were genuinely interested and curious… that innocent curiosity always makes me smile, and it’s a thing that so often gets forgotten as we grow into adults.
Here are some photos I found from that festival way back in 2015…!
Inside our Victorian School House… Encaustic Wax, Pastels, Felt Making and Jewellery
The Creation Factory, all set ready for next days creating…!
Chiltern Arts Fest 2015
Unbeknown to us at the time, that Arts Festival Demonstration laid the foundation for what would eventually become a longer term journey with encaustic.
As they grew older and more able to handle the hot tools, the family booked an iron workshop with me, followed by a stylus workshop, where as a birthday surprise the girls were each gifted their own encaustic equipment and waxes to choose, so they could carry on creating at home. Their faces were a picture! These hands-on experiences gave them a real understanding of working with wax. Mum also enrolled them in my ‘Painting with an Iron’ online course, (now called ‘The Art & Magic of Encaustic’) allowing them the flexibility to learn at their own pace and experiment with different techniques at home.
I loved communicating via Michelle, their Mum, and seeing photographs of their latest creations… including an update saying both of them had won prizes in a school Christmas card competition with their encaustic paintings! You can see some photos and comments from that time below….
It’s been wonderful to see encaustic become such a big part of their journey…
More recently, Isabelle has taken her encaustic skills to new heights… She’s incorporated them into her Duke of Edinburgh (DoE) Gold Award, and is now working towards her King’s Scout Award with encaustic as well.
Michelle recently shared Isabelle’s latest pieces, where you can clearly see her progress… some fabulous and skilled creations don’t you think…? Her latest ones included sand from a family holiday in Cornwall, which apparently makes a lovely holiday memento… for me, it’s great to see where she’s beginning to mix the different layered style of waxes together!
Isabelle’s Mum even mentioned how therapeutic encaustic has been for Isabelle, especially during the busyness that comes with school and exams. It’s a fantastic way for teens to unwind while still being productive and creative.
I’ve helped numerous teens over the years to get creative with encaustic… from youngsters creating for pleasure, through to GCSE and A level students adding an additional medium to their portfolios, in my experience, they’ve all embraced it with the same gusto… (Often followed soon after by a message from a parent along the lines of “Hi Julie… Joe NEEDS more wax, can I come over?!!” Which in my view means my job here is done!)
So, what age can youngsters start painting with encaustic? Well, remember that encaustic wax painting uses heated tools… and they can get very HOT…! So they need to be old enough, and responsible enough to be able to manage a heated iron, or heated stylus. I usually err on the side of caution and say teenagers and up, however, as you can see from the girls above, they started around the age of eleven… you will know your own child and their capabilities, just be mindful of the hot elements, keep a close eye on safe working practices, especially in the early days… check there are no trailing cables, hair tied back, keep a clean and tidy working space, don’t get wax near your best furniture or carpets, and ensure that everything is turned off safely afterwards…
Once those basics are covered, simply let them embrace their natural creativity, give them space to enjoy the lusciousness… texture and vibrancy of playing with colour and hot molten wax… to get curious about the effects… the flow and patterns it makes… which should ensure hours of playful creativity, and a host of colourful creations!
If possible, start off with an in person workshop run by a tutor, if not there are many resources online that can help.
I know there’s a concern about online learning, especially when you’re trying to get teenagers off their screens. But from my experience, once teens (and adults!) start creating, they’re completely absorbed in the process, and the screens quickly fade into the background. Encaustic painting is so hands-on that it becomes all about the physical act of creating.
My online course The Art & Magic of Encaustic, is designed to guide you through the practical side of encaustic, with exact how to’s, from setting up equipment, understanding the materials, to mark making, to finished paintings… giving real-life skills while allowing the flexibility to learn at your own pace, with the ability to expand your skills as you grow. It’s not about spending hours on the computer, but rather getting engaged in a creative activity that’s totally immersive.
So, whether you’re a beginner, or looking to develop your skills further, encaustic painting can suit anyone—teenagers included!
I hope Isabelle & Ava’s story inspires you…! If you’re curious about getting started, I have plenty of resources to guide you, from videos and blogs to online courses and 1-1 sessions. Who knows, encaustic might just be the creative outlet you, or your teens have been looking for…
For ways to learn about encaustic and to work with me further, go to: (also, please keep scrolling, there’s more info further down the page, but there’s a spacing issue that my technical skills can’t seem to resolve!!)
To order equipment and supplies, go to:
Gift Vouchers are always a great idea too:
If you have any questions at all… drop me an e-mail… julie@artyheaven.com I’ll be happy to help… 🎨🐝✨💕
