Texture, Collage, and Experiments
Wax Lab: Encaustic Art for Teens
In this 8-week, drop-off studio class, teens explore drawing, painting, mixed media, and the ancient art of painting with wax. They build real skills in color theory, composition, and creative problem-solving while working in a professional encaustic studio.
Each session is thoughtfully planned with TEKS-informed objectives and gentle critique, so families across all learning paths can count it as meaningful fine arts and cross-curricular learning - not just crafts.
Unlike many casual art-and-craft classes, Wax Lab is designed as a true studio experience where teens learn the kind of skills and vocabulary they’ll use in high school, AP Art, or future creative paths.
At a Glance
-
Ages: 12–16 (approx. grades 7–11)
-
Format: Weekly drop-off studio class
-
Length: 8-week session
-
Day & Time: Saturdays, 10:00–11:30 AM
-
Location: Studio 114 - The Silos at Sawyer Yards, 1502 Sawyer St, Houston, TX 77007
-
Tuition: $43 per class - $344 total - all materials included
-
Discount: 10% off siblings from the same household
-
Class Size: Small group, limited seats for focused instruction and studio safety
-
Each 8-week session is thoughtfully scaffolded, with lessons building progressively on skills from the previous week
What We’ll Explore Each Week
Week 1
Texture Tiles
Big idea: How changing heat and tools changes texture (raised vs smooth, rough vs soft).
Project: 8x10 “texture sampler” full of squares/strips using different tools, scraping, combing, stamping, and brushwork.
Week 2
Incising and Line
Big idea: Subtractive vs additive – carving into wax vs adding on top.
Project: 8×10 panel with incised line drawings (patterns, initials, symbols) then back‑filled or glazed with contrasting colors.
Week 3
Collage in Wax
Big idea: Wax as an adhesive that can trap paper, photos, leaves, and drawn images.
Project: Collage panel with printed images, tissue, text scraps, or nature finds embedded and fused under thin wax layers.
Week 4
Transparency & “Hidden” Layers
Big idea: Opaque vs transparent color and hiding/revealing layers (science of light and refraction).
Project: Students build several thin layers, then selectively scrape or incise to reveal surprises underneath.
Week 5
Drawing + Wax / Simple Transfers
Big idea: Combining drawing with wax; thinking of wax as a print or resist surface.
Project: Kids bring or create a line drawing, then they add wax, texture, and color.
Week 6
Encaustic “Lab Day”
Big idea: Designing small experiments with variables (heat, tools, sequence, materials).
Project: Each student creates 3–4 mini test tiles; they change one thing at a time and record what happened on a quick lab sheet.
Week 7
Select & Refine
Big idea: Editing; deciding which textures and techniques support their idea.
Project: Choose one favorite experiment or collage piece and develop it into a more finished 8×10 work.
Week 8
Texture & Collage Showcase
Big idea: Presenting technical discoveries to an audience.
Project: Mini exhibition where each student labels one piece with a “scientist’s note” about a texture or experiment they loved.
Projects may vary slightly based on class interests and pacing.
--
Tuition, Registration, and Policies
Tuition & Payment
-
$43 per class
-
$344 total for the 8-week session
-
All materials included
-
10% off siblings of the same household
Enrollment is confirmed once full payment is received. Class size is very limited to ensure high-quality instruction and safety in the studio. Your payment reserves your teen’s spot for the full 8-week session.
Refunds & Cancellations
-
Tuition is fully refundable if you cancel 14 days or more before the first class.
-
If you cancel 7–13 days before the first class, 50% of the tuition will be refunded.
-
Cancellations less than 7 days before the first class, and any cancellations after the session has begun, are non-refundable, as your teen’s seat has been held and supplies have been purchased.
Class Cancellations by the Studio
If I must cancel a class (due to illness, emergency, or severe weather), I will either:
-
Schedule a make-up class, or
-
Provide a pro-rated credit toward a future session.
If the entire session is canceled by the studio, all tuition will be fully refunded.
Missed Classes
Because each session is planned as a cohesive 8-week course scaffolded to build upon skills learned in the previous week and class sizes are small, I’m not able to offer refunds or credits for individual missed classes.
However, I want your teen to get as much value as possible. When available:
-
Your student may join a bonus open-studio style session scheduled later in the year, where they can enjoy extra studio time using the skills and techniques learned in class, or
-
Provide a credit toward a future session (up to $43 maximum/1 class equivalent).
If you know in advance that your student will miss the first class, please contact me before registering so we can decide together if this session is still a good fit.
Age Range & Readiness
This class is designed for ages 12–16. If your child is just outside this age range but you feel they are ready for the content and environment, please contact me to discuss.
For safety and a focused studio experience:
-
This is a drop-off class
-
Parents are invited to attend the final showcase rather than staying in the studio during weekly instruction.
Ready to Enroll?
Give your teen a place to experiment, learn, and create with professional materials in a real working studio.