Encaustic Hot Wax & Resin by Claudette McDermott 

Currently working with Encaustic Hot Wax and Resin with various techniques and tools to complete each project. When it comes to painting with Encaustics a few favorite tools are my Batik Pen, Mini Iron and Torch . Working with a torch and heat gun assists in creating different effects. Very thin layers of molten wax are brushed on and heated, to bond to the previous layer creating a solid work of art. I normally have 25 layers or more to each painting. Shellac Burns are a favorite in my work creating a lacy or cellular effect. 

When it comes to working with Resin, my favorite tools are a hand torch and silicon molds. Many of my pieces are created with molds so it can easily be shaped and won’t leak onto the table, and removes easily once cured. While using molds your creative edge is tinting the resin, adding a variety of materials into the resin and pushing the tinted resin from layers to surface shaping with a heat gun or hand tools. There are times I paint onto multiple surface pours to create 3D imagery. There are endless possibilities! I only use Food Safe Resin because it is Non Toxic, safe for me and safe for my clients.

In both Encaustic & Resin my favorite themes are the Ocean scenes, Florals and Cloudy skies. 

I offer workshops on a limited basis. Commissions are welcome. 

My Art takes the form of: Wall Hangings and Paintings both Large and Small, 3D forms of Bowls, Vases, Containers, Chess Sets, Platters, side & coffee tables and more. 

Topic: Watercolor painting of flowers in realistic and impressionistic styles

Meghana Mitragotri is an award-winning watercolor artist based in Livermore, California, inspired by the natural beauty of the countryside, flowers, and birds. Known for her realistic and impressionistic styles, her work captures the serenity and subtle nuances of the world around her. Growing up in Kalpakkam, India, she explored many art forms before finding her passion in watercolor, drawn to its fluidity and versatility.

With over 30 years of experience, she continues to hone her skills and explore new techniques. Meghana has won numerous awards at both national and international levels, including over 35 awards each year in 2024 and 2025 at the Alameda County Fair, as well as distinctions at the California State Fair. Her work has been juried and exhibited at prestigious venues such as the Harrington Gallery, Bankhead Theater, City Halls and the California Watercolor Association’s National and International Shows. She also served as President of the Pleasanton Art League and is the creator of Flora in Focus, a flower-themed art show celebrating nature.

Meghana is the founder of DaintlyMade, a collection of her watercolor creations and crafts, and she continues to share her passion through teaching and live demonstrations. As part of the Fresh Grounds Art Show at Latte Da Vinci in downtown Pleasanton, she will present a watercolor demonstration of flowers in both realistic and impressionist styles, inspired by audience requests.

https://www.instagram.com/daintlymade/

https://daintlymade.weebly.com/

WATERCOLOR ON YUPO: SUBTRACTIVE PAINTING

This technique is ideal for artists of all skill and experience levels. I will demonstrate

how to create a finished painting without tedious attention to detail and the inherent

desire to produce a piece that looks just like what I see in front of me. Those of us

who’ve been painting for years sometimes feel just a bit bored with what we’ve been

doing and feel the need to ‘loosen up’. The playfulness of this approach gets me – and

probably others – out of a rut.

Watercolor on Yupo (a polypropylene surface) lends itself to the technique of

subtractive painting: lifting pigment to define the image and bring back the white of the

surface. It’s ideal for lots of subject matter: flowers, fruit & vegetables, buildings,

animals, etc. It can be used to lift pigment around the subject or it can be used to lift

pigment to develop the subject, such as white flowers or buildings or swans.

I’ll show you the entire process, beginning with cleaning any residue from the Yupo

surface with rubbing alcohol. Next, I’ll flood my surface with rich juicy pigment, using the

colors of what I want to portray. I love doing clusters of grapes, or apples, or tomatoes –

any fruit that is colorful as it ripens.

After the paint has dried, I’ll use a ‘thirsty’ brush to start lifting pigment. The initial

washes typically show me where some definition can easily be developed.

I study the piece and see what’s working and what needs further lifting. At this point, I

need to make the subject stand out while avoiding my inherent desire to turn to detailed

realism. It’s critical to just leave the fresh rich statement.

Now I’ll lift more where it’s needed and perhaps add some detail with fairly thick, straight

from the tube, pigment. This is often needed to define stems, leaves, etc.

Continuing to study the progression, I lift or add more as the image demands.

When I’m satisfied with how it looks – stand back and squint my eyes, or look at it in a

mirror – I literally tell myself ‘Quit!’. Overworking can ruin the desired effect.

After the painting has dried thoroughly, usually overnight, I spray it with a protective coat

of Krylon. Do this in a well-ventilated space and let it dry for 24 hours before popping

the piece in a frame. Hint: a welcome benefit of this technique is that the painting

frames itself so there is no need for matting!

I hope you enjoyed my demo and got introduced to and excited about something new.

Next January I’m giving a workshop at the Bothwell in Livermore for those who want to

try it. Contact me for details: JeanElaineBatchelder@gmail.com

Topic: Watercolor painting of flowers in realistic and impressionistic styles

Meghana Mitragotri is an award-winning watercolor artist based in Livermore, California, inspired by the natural beauty of the countryside, flowers, and birds. Known for her realistic and impressionistic styles, her work captures the serenity and subtle nuances of the world around her. Growing up in Kalpakkam, India, she explored many art forms before finding her passion in watercolor, drawn to its fluidity and versatility.

With over 30 years of experience, she continues to hone her skills and explore new techniques. Meghana has won numerous awards at both national and international levels, including over 35 awards each year in 2024 and 2025 at the Alameda County Fair, as well as distinctions at the California State Fair. Her work has been juried and exhibited at prestigious venues such as the Harrington Gallery, Bankhead Theater, City Halls and the California Watercolor Association’s National and International Shows. She also served as President of the Pleasanton Art League and is the creator of Flora in Focus, a flower-themed art show celebrating nature.

Meghana is the founder of DaintlyMade, a collection of her watercolor creations and crafts, and she continues to share her passion through teaching and live demonstrations. As part of the Fresh Grounds Art Show at Latte Da Vinci in downtown Pleasanton, she will present a watercolor demonstration of flowers in both realistic and impressionist styles, inspired by audience requests.

https://www.instagram.com/daintlymade/

https://daintlymade.weebly.com/