what is it exactly?

Stay tuned, everyone - we'll be giving full details soon!

At long last Encausticbord is out!  Velvety white, extremely stable, and ready to go in many sizes and depths.  It is currently being distributed to your local and online retailers.  You can contact us or Ampersand for more details.  Also visit:

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I also would like information about the new encaustic boards. I purchased one to try out but have not yet done so. I'm curious about what is recommended for the first coating. Would a layer or two of beeswax + damar be suitable as for other supports or just start painting directly or does this have more to do with what image or effect you're going for? Since my board has a sample of a painting by Laura Moriarty perhaps, you could comment on how you use this product. Thanks.
Norman Soskel
Feel free to contact me directly at artist@memphisthings.com

Hi Ginny,

Sorry for your frustrations! These bubbles you are describing do not sound normal, but I think we can rule out a bad batch of panels, as our gesso is not made in small batches like our paint is. Ampersand uses R&F Encaustic Gesso for their EncausticBord. All of the gesso Ampersand is using is the same mix.

But for many artists, there has been a learning curve when they switch over to the EncausticBord, because they are used to working a certain way, and the bord does not cooperate. I recommend that you experiment with different heat settings when you fuse. Because you describe watching the medium solidify and bubbles rise up, I am thinking you may be using too much heat.

Let me know if the problem persists,
Laura

Not only consider the heat setting when fusing, but also consider allowing the panels to thoroughly cool down when it is producing bubbles. ALL wood has water/moisture in it and when heated it releases the moisture as water vapor. This is what causes bubbles. Continuing heating to get rid of the bubbles is counter-productive. Let it cool.

If "regular gesso" is acrylic gesso, then, no, encaustic should not be used on top of it. Acrylic gesso is non-absorbent and the encaustic layer will not fuse adequately. On the other hand if you mean traditional gesso (rabbit skin glue, etc), then encaustic would be compatible.

Sealing the sides is a matter of personal preference. There is no general technical reason to do so, unless there is something about your work which requires it.