These supplies are optional and just suggestions. You can show up with just panels and be just fine.
Apron or big shirt
Pen or pencil and paper or sketch book for notes
Water and snacks. Bag lunch or money for lunch
Materials for collaging (some collage material will be available)
examples: old or new photos, pressed flowers or leaves ,rice paper or specialty papers, old dress patterns, color copies, gold leaf, buttons, etc.
Any tools for carving into the wax
pencils, nails, ceramic or dental tools
Metal objects to melt into the wax
kitchen tools, old printing press letters, etc.
Oil sticks, paints or oil pastels which you are curious about combining with wax.
Most Important: 4 to 6 panels to work on. Remember to look for urfaces that are RIGID, ABSORBENT, HEAT RESITANT! Good choices include:
--small pieces of plywood, scraps from a cabinet shop or carpenter
3/8” thick (6x6 thru 12x12)
5/8” thick (10x10 thru 16x16)
thicker plywood can be used up to 24x24
The best source for panels I have found is American Easel. They ship quick and make a nice product at a reasonable price. Any of their panels from 7/8” deep to the thick 2” deep panels work great! (Dick Blick also)
www.americaneasel.com
Ampersand Clayboard also works well. You can prime wood with R&F Encaustic Gesso (acrylic gesso does not work!) if you would like to begin with a white ground. Try Dick Blick for this too.
Suggested sizes are 8x10, 10x10, 12x12, 11x14.
Suggested Reading:
Encaustic Art: The Complete Guide to Creating Fine Art with Wax by Lissa Rankin (the book that features some of my techniques.)
Art and Fear: Observations on the perils and rewards of artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland (a great read when you are questioning your creativity)
Artist's Way- A spiritual path to higher creativity by Julia Cameron (always helps!)
Letters to a Young Poet by Ranier Maria Rilke (inspiriation for anyone, anytime)