Classes and Workshops
Encaustic Exploration with Jenny Learner
Week 1: Intro.....Encaustic 101
1:00 Informal discussion and intros: A bit of Encaustic outline in
history, safety measures, tools, materials, and demo multiple fusing
methods.
Substrates and preparing your work surface.
Difference between working on hard surface, light weight board,
wood, verses paper.
Demonstration of encaustic techniques, painting lines, imprinting,
line and fill.
1:45 Individual work time
4:00 Clean up
Homework: Find an encaustic technique you would like to emulate or
duplicate for learning purpose.Week 2: Transfer
1:00 Review, discuss following week, and show work.
Demonstration of transfer techniques, metal foil, photo underlay,
transfer paper, graphite, and pastel drawings.
1:45 Individual work time
4:00 Clean up
Homework: optional, find an old book for your substrate for starting your collage. Old book covers are a great surface and they stand up.
Glue inkjet heavyweight mat paper- plain, printed image or photo on small hardboards (6” x 6” or 5” x 7”). Sobo glue or spray mount works best. This is for upcoming classes.Week 3: Collage and Assemblage
1:00 Review, discuss following week, and show work.
Demo ironing imagery, multiple tissue papers, incorporating wood
veneers, pressed leaves and flowers, embellishments, embedding
objects, etc.
Students have access to try multiple irons, embossing, heat
1:30 Individual work time.
4:00 Clean up
Homework: Check out local galleries that represent artists working in encaustic medium. In person or online.Week 4: Encaustic and Monotype
1:00 Review, discuss following week. Demonstrations include printmaking
techniques including, mono-printing, dipping, mark making with
Catalyst tools on multiple papers and mat board which I provide. I
will also demo on glass and ceramic tiles. I have Paula Roland
“Hot Boxes” for students to use.
1:30 Individual work time
4:00 Clean up
Homework: Watch a few encaustic demos on Utube. (Enkaustikos) http://www.fineartstore.com/
Week 5: Encaustic and Photography
1:00 Review, discuss following week. Demos of painting on photography
with molten beeswax. White and yellow beeswax. Texture with
pigments or smoothPhotography in a
wax bath. And photo ironed on to tile and mirror.
1:30. Work time
4:00 Clean upThis is an ongoing class every week. Some students are starting on different dates and levels of experience, and I work individually with my regular students after I demo for new students. No experience necessary for this class.
Dates: Wednesdays starting October 15th
12:30 PM and ongoing for fall and winter 2025
Five sessions: 1-4pm
Cost: $300.00
Link for PayPalHandicap accessible with front ground level door.
You can view and borrow books from my library.
Class limited to 5 studentsBloomingdale Arts Building
Jenny Learner C3
2418 West Bloomingdale Avenue
773-936-3645
www.jennylearner.comStudent SUPPLY LIST
Required: 6-8 wood or fiber substrates (6x6, 8x10,) – or any non-warping, rigid, absorbent material, lumber scraps ok, heavy watercolor paper, bisque tiles, etc. No surface larger than 12 “ x 12” for first two sessions during the learning process you do not need fancy surfaces. I demo on heavyweight cardboard, cradled birch, and foamcore to keep the cost down.
Encaustic paint: One or two colors of encaustic paints.
1lb beeswax (white refined or natural yellow prills).
You will need this for the 2nd class. I share beeswax on first day.
Brushes: a couple small and medium bristle, can be cheap bristle ones from your paint or hardware store.
One hake brush (soft goat hair layering), 3-5inch for base coats. My favorite is Mandalay from Jerry’s Artarama. Sharpie your initials on your brushes.
Containers for your encaustic paint:1 bread baking pan for melting your beeswax, and a couple small mini bread pans for melting your paint.Optional: Bring an old painting or drawing for week three to rework under 10" x 10" any medium. Tape, scissors, wax paper, non-stick foil (for saving your drippings), small mirrors - dollar store oil sticks, pan pastels, stamps, pressed flowers or leaves from your favorite plant, dry or live.
You may want to bring your own mark making tools: ceramic tools,
linoleum cutters, single edge razor blades with handle, dental, & culinary.
A few favorite photographs which have been duplicated on a black/white
and/or color copier, some might be enlarged to completely cover a panel you bring. Various collage materials including special papers, string, dried natural materials and objects. Ink jet on heavy weight mat paper can be glued (SOBO glue) on hardboard prior to class and then waxed on with beeswax.
Sketch pad for ideas, sketches, and notes. Dress for mess!I share my Hot Plates, griddles, tools, irons, torches, Pan pastels, NEO Colors, (water soluble beeswax crayons) oils sticks, unique papers, and collage embellishments.
I ask each student to pick out tools they want to use that day. Each student is responsible for cleaning tools at the end of each session.RESOURCES FOR SUPPLIES:
Beeswax: Swans Candles http://www.swanscandles.com/store/beeswax.html
I also sell refined White beeswax prills for $25.00 a pound. Students need it for the second class.Studio Rules:
The paint is hot, the tools may be hot, sharp objects etc. !!!
I share all my tools, Griddles, R & F Palettes, tape, markers, NEOColors, Collage materials, and Pan Pastels, and mica powders. Please return anything you use to where it belongs/place/space. Each student is responsible for keeping an eye on the surface thermometer through their session on their palette not exceeding 200 degrees. Keep griddle on till it is cleaned at the end of the session.
Please clean the tools you use by heating on a hot plate and wiping clean with paper towels for the next artist using that tool.Each artist is responsible for keeping their Palette/Griddle clean and foiling the surface. Even if you are using aluminum panels.
Most important is being fully conscious/focused at all times
Tools for mono printing and pressing objects, beads, pressed flowers onto your work. Do not use Brayers or Barens without using a barrier of wax paper or foil.
Certain cutting tools, Scissors are marked WAX, this means that only for use on a surface with beeswax. Do not use paper cutter if paper is waxed.I share my beeswax for first class for practicing.
I do not allow students to use my beeswax if they have ANY COLOR on their work. This protects the beeswax and brushes getting polluted with any color.When using ANY FUSING TOOL be aware of your surroundings.
Only use the torch at designated station.Move any paper that may be part of our session before using the torch.
Do not place your iron on its own cord. If it gets burned student needs to replace.
Know where each fire extinguisher is located!
Wash your hands before eating snacks.
*Testimonials from students *
Encaustic Classes and Mini Workshops
Step into Jenny’s studio to get a personal introduction to this gripping art form. Using torches, irons and heat guns, you’ll learn to fuse beeswax with colored pigments and resin and then apply the molten liquid to a painting surface. She’ll teach you how to use special tools and brushes to manipulate and shape your paint before it cools, creating one-of-a-kind pieces to take home.
Jenny is a multi-faceted artist, classically trained at the American Academy of Art in Chicago Illinois. She paints and teaches from her studio in West Bucktown, Chicago. She also curates, exhibits, juries locally and nationally and has worked on many Chicago Public Art Projects.ROBERT SWISLOW
I spent my career practicing Industrial Design, so have always been involved in the business of artistic expression but never had time to express my personal passion for art. Now that I am retired I was ready to get back into the studio arts. I asked around some of my museum friends and Jenny Learners name came up so I went to visit her at her studio. When I walked into the studio I was like a kid in a candy store. Jenny's studio is filled with so much art, so much art materials of various media that something in my soul said this is the right place for me. Then Jenny began to speak about her life spent making art and the room filled with this positive energy and passion it was clear Jenny lives for art. That was all I needed to hear, I was like when can I start? Jenny's passion kick-started the yearning I had kept inside me and now I look forward to my weekly studio visits for guidance, criticism, advice and oh all those art materials! I can highly recommend Jenny as a person, as an artist and as a studio space one can freely express themselves without any reservations.AJOONI SETHI
An amazing and addicting experience. I almost feel like it's better not to explain how the session went step-by-step so that everyone can experience it for fresh for themselves. Jenny truly opened her studio and her knowledge to me and my two friends, and we walked out with 9 pieces of art that we cherish. Jenny demonstrated different encaustic methods, but what we created and how was completely up to us. I've only gone once, but I feel like Jenny really tailors her approach to her learners. She creates an awesome space to explore something new and make art.LAURA MERRIGAN
This class was so much fun! Jenny started with a little tutorial but then we had plenty of options for experimentation. Her studio was very roomy and comfortable. I came home with 3 interesting, unique works of art. At first I was concerned about the location of the class but it was completely safe. Parking was readily available in the rear. Very interesting building with several artist studios.MONA MOHARI
Jenny Learner is one of the most valuable people I have ever met in US. She
is gifted as both creative artist and exceptional teacher. As an artist, she
develops creative student projects and brings in many inspiring original
works of art from her own works and other artists and brings in valuable
examples from her life and career as a working artist and businesswoman in
interior design industry – specifically in wallpaper design - to inspire her
students. Jenny is consistently energetic, positive, respectful and interested
in her students. She engages her students very well. Her lesson plans are
well thought out and she is able to convey the material in a way that reaches
all students, even the ones who know just the basic English words. Jenny is
an authentic, gifted educator that brings wisdom, energy and mostly
enthusiasm to any art program. She is also very dedicated to community
through donations of time and art to several non-profit organizations. She is
so unique because teachers with the passion, drive, and genuine love and
caring like what Jenny possesses are hard to find. I highly recommend her to
all others.GREGORY SCOTT
Great intro to encaustic. This is a medium I always wanted to know more about and I got to see and try a number of different techniques.JES SANCHEZ
This is such a fun experience. I have done this Sidetour 3 times and I don’t
think I'm finished yet! I have the pieces that I made displayed in my home.
Jenny is a wonderful teacher. Her passion for her work is contagious.MARY FELLARS
We had to reschedule and Jenny was most accommodating. Had great time in class and learned more than enough to encourage more experimentation. Jenny is full of information on process, materials and technique. Thanks!MARY DIETRICK
Jenny promised that we would each complete three pieces of art to take home, and we did! Very warm, helpful atmosphere. She had all the materials we needed ready for our use. She showed us several ways of making something beautiful, and then we got to do it. Very nice way to spend a cold Saturday afternoon.
DANA BLOEDE
This was a great class and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to do something arty & fun with friends in the city. Makes for a great girls night out! Jenny was an excellent instructor and she provided us with a plethora of knowledge and expertise. The great thing about this class was I did not need any previous encaustic art experience and I came home with 3 awesome pieces of art! Would take it again!AJOONI SETHI
An amazing and addicting experience. I almost feel like it's better not to explain how the session went step-by-step so that everyone can experience it for fresh for themselves. Jenny truly opened her studio and her knowledge to me and my two friends, and we walked out with 9 pieces of art that we cherish. Jenny demonstrated different encaustic methods, but what we created and how was completely up to us. I've only gone once, but I feel like Jenny really tailors her approach to her learners. She creates an awesome space to explore something new and make art.LAURA MERRIGAN
This class was so much fun! Jenny started with a little tutorial but then we had plenty of options for experimentation. Her studio was very roomy and comfortable. I came home with 3 interesting, unique works of art. At first I was concerned about the location of the class but it was completely safe. Parking was readily available in the rear. Very interesting building with several artist studios.MARIE MACDONALD
Great time! Bought with friends! Easy to get to great FREE parking. Jenny was awesome. We learned a lot and had a ton of fun! Do this!MELISSA MARINELLI
This was so fun. I'm not remotely artistic but signed up to try something new with a friend. Jenny was gracious and used the 2.5 hours well--we learned at the beginning and had plenty of time to try out the techniques and make tiles to take home. I think I might even go back for more! I highly recommend this even if you are not an artist, and I think it's a fantastic activity for girlfriends or mothers/daughters.MARYBETH DOUGHERTY
Jenny Learner is a wonderful artist, and a great teacher, so take one of her classes if you have any interest in art. She teaches encaustic painting, but also other special areas. My two friends and I has such a fun time under her guidance, and we will be back. We hope to entice enough friends to fill a class, but the women we met there were fun to work with in class. The nice glass of merlot was appreciated too!MELISSA MENDIOLA POLONSKY
I had a great time learning and practicing encaustic painting! Jenny is easy going and makes you feel confident about trying this medium. The class flew by and I will definitely try this at home. Fun experience!ELAINE
Jenny Learner was a wonderful host and teacher. Our group thoroughly enjoyed themselves and we went home with our own works of art. The equipment and material used were top notch, explanations easy to follow and a very relaxed atmosphere. The building and environment with all of the artist studios was a plus.PAULINE KOCHANSKI
Jenny is very knowledgable and fun teacher willing to share and enjoy encaustic with her students. The time flew by.BARBARA WOLF
Jenny is a great artist and it was a fun afternoon.JES SANCHEZ
Another wonderful experience! What fun! Thanks Jenny.NORM FRAGA
This Encaustics SideTour was pretty awesome, Jenny crammed alot of information into the 2-3 hours we were there. Jenny was very informative about the safety precautions of encaustics! Any questions we had Jenny answered, from how the encaustics were made to recycling scraped wax. What I liked about this was Jenny let us 'play' while teaching, so it was very hands on! I'm definitely signing up for another class on encaustics.BARBARA SUCHERMAN
I had a great time. Energized and inspired. I definitely will try another tour and will seek out Jenny again. I am an artist and love to be in other people's studios. The Art center was an unexpected gem!KATHLEEN LETONA
This class was very informative and fun. Jenny shared her wealth of knowledge inspiring us to begin our own journey using this mysterious ancient medium. She was very generous of her time and talent; teaching us an array of different techniques. Great teacher...I would definitely take this class again!PATRICIA GUHRS
Jenny learner a very gifted artist loved her class and studio i was very inspired and blessed to be there thank you so much for sharing ....MARY FERAZZA
Jenny Learner is extremely well versed in encaustics and is a lovely person, too. I would highly recommend this afternoon workshop to anyone who is interested in an exciting and fun artistic experience.SHARON AGUILERA
My experience with Jenny Learner's Encaustic Painting class was fantastic. Jenny began the class by educating us on all the materials that we were going to be using. She was very friendly and very funny. She made sure that even those who had no prior artistic backgrounds have a great time experimenting and creating with the use of bee's wax. I would not hesitate to take another one of Jenny's classes.MARK STEIN
This class will have you leaving with treasures and smiles. Jenny provides the perfect introduction to this wonderful art form in a casual but informative way. You leave with just enough knowledge and excitement to make you come back again and again. I thoroughly enjoyed this class and would highly recommend this class for anyone with any interest in this art form--no experience necessary!ROSS LITTON
I came back with three tiles that I made that Jenny said showed promise and semetry. I got to use the blow torch and witness first hand how to use it like a brush. I also got to "paint" with liquid colored wax and explored the many different techniques like pastel and holographic paper.LINDA KRYGOSKI
Great fun! Learned lots! Jenny was extremely friendly and talented. No art experience required. Very educational and entertaining.KIMBERLY SMITH
Seriously so much fun and a really cool project. Jenny is a great instructor, very real and easy to work with. This could get addicting!BERNADETTE FOLEY
This was a great class! Jenny did a great job explaining the techniques and then helping as we tried them all. I was surprised at how easy it really was and nice everything turned out.KRISTI SUMMERS
I loved this class! Jenny was right, you dont have to be an artist to do this! Jenny was super fun/enthusiastic and very helpful. The atmosphere was very relaxed. This class is something I would definitely do again! The only thing I would recommend is maybe have some directions to the class room. There was another event going on and finding the studio inside Zhou B was a bit difficult. Other than, everything was GREAT!DEBBY SPERTUS
Jenny is a marvelous teacher. She was clear and organized with the information and the demos, and gave a lot of one-on-one attention while we all created out own artworks. Her studio is spacious, and she supplied lot of additional materials for us to experiment with. In our class we had rank amateurs, seasoned professionals, and people somewhere in between. I think everyone got what they needed at the level they needed it. I highly recommend the class to anyone who is even intrigued about encaustics.JANICE DEVINE
A wonderful introduction to encaustic painting. Jenny did a great job of explaining the process and then we got to create some pretty cool pieces as we went through the different techniques she demonstrated. Thanks Jenny!!!