Workshop | Visual Pathways: Navigating Contrast in Encaustic Painting with Isabelle Gaborit
Discover the transformative potential of contrast in encaustic painting in this immersive workshop led by Isabelle Gaborit. Focusing on the dynamic interplay between smooth and textured surfaces, this workshop will explore how artists can use contrast to guide the viewer’s eye through intentional visual pathways, encouraging prolonged engagement.
About the workshop
Participants will delve into various forms of contrast—shape, line, value, edges, saturation, temperature, and texture. Isabelle will demonstrate how these elements can be manipulated to create depth, dimension, and balance. The goal is to direct the viewer’s eye, allowing it to circulate through the painting, while providing areas of rest and contemplation.
A key feature of the workshop will be the use of highly textured surfaces that mirror geological processes. Drawing inspiration from the breathtaking landscape of the west coast of Ireland and by mimicking the forces that shape landscapes—such as erosion, deposition, and weathering—participants will learn to build up, scrape back, heat, cool, score, and layer the wax. These physical processes, inspired by the natural world, will reveal records and traces, creating highly tactile surfaces that hold a history of their own.
In addition, participants will explore how to create areas of quiet—negative spaces where the eye can rest. These moments of calm contrast with more active, textured areas to achieve a balanced composition. High values stand out and draw attention, while low values recede, helping to create depth and guide the viewer’s gaze.
Throughout the workshop, Isabelle will share her personal creative practices, including her unique methods for gathering inspiration from her environment and incorporating daily mark-making into her work. Artists will be exposed to a range of techniques, from basic to advanced, allowing them to deepen their encaustic practice.
Experience the rugged beauty of Connemara as you immerse yourself in artistic exploration, fostering new visions and connections within a community of like-minded creators. Whether you arrive with a specific project or an open mind, find support and inspiration to fuel your creative growth.
About the Location
The Renvyle peninsula sits in the far edge of the western shores of Ireland, with its long stretches of the clean sandy beaches of White Strand, Lettergesh Beach and stunning Glassilaun Beach. A wealth of textures and colors, all bathing in the extraordinary light of Connemara .
In the Autumn, the mountains would change from grey to dazzling white and then glow golden orange with the descending sun. As storm passes, the sky, which was once black tuns blue, the hills from orange, brown, red and green. The countryside sparkle and everything contribute: The sky, the hills, lakes and rivers, stone walls and paddocks.
Details
Dates: Saturday 27th, 10 to 4pm /Sunday 28th September 2025, 10 to 4 pm.
Location: Renvyle, Co Galway, Ireland.
Fee: €250. The package price includes 2 days of total encaustic painting immersion, all tuition and materials. R&F Handmade Paints generously support this workshop.Also, a pdf printout containing all the information you need as well as a list of suppliers.
Workshop limited to 10 participants.
This workshop is tailored for artists or art enthusiasts who have completed an introductory encaustic painting workshop and are eager to delve deeper.
Payment plan available.( deposit of €100 required to secure space). Please contact me here for details about payment plan.
Accommodation is not included in the fee.
Please check Air B&B website or booking.com for available accommodation in proximity. The workshops will take place in Renvyle, Co. Galway, only 10 minutes from Letterfrack and 20 minutes to Clifden.