In-Person Courses by Shary
Studio Classes Vancouver, Canada
Spring/Summer/Fall 2026 Classes—Check out the course list below
NATURAL ATTRACTION: PLASTER CAST BOTANICALS & ENCAUSTICSept. 14-15 (2 days)- Beginner to AdvancedOwen Sound, Ontario
Using beautiful flowers and plants from Owen Sound, you’ll create three-dimensional plaster casts embossed with delicate botanical impressions. We’ll paint these 3D impressions with encaustic, water-soluble wax paints, and watercolour.
WATER-SOLUBLE WAX PAINTS ON ENCAUSTIC, PAPER, AND WOOD Sept. 16-17 (2 days) - Beginner to AdvancedOwen Sound, Ontario
Explore the expansive creative possibilities of water-soluble wax paints on paper, wood panels, and encaustic surfaces. Through creative fluid washes, texturing, layering, mark-making, stencilling, photo transfer and imaging, collage, and fusing, participants will discover how water-borne wax paints move effortlessly between drawing, painting, and wax-based effects.
Encaustic Collage + Mixed Media: Fused Fragments1-Day - Beginner to Advanced$200 Including Supplies
Learn encaustic collage techniques that blend wax, texture, and mixed-media layers. Build luminous surfaces while exploring safe studio setup, creative tools, and beginner-friendly wax methods.
Spring/Summer 2026
Encaustic Photography + Photo Transfer: Melted Light1-Day - Beginner to Advanced$200 Including Supplies
Integrate photographs into encaustic wax using hand-colouring, carving, and photo-transfer methods. Build luminous layers and expressive surfaces with beginner-friendly encaustic tools.
Spring/Summer 2026
Textiles, Encaustic, + LED lighting: Illuminated Sculptures1-Day - Beginner to Advanced $220 Including Supplies
Create illuminated mixed-media sculptures using encaustic wax, translucent textiles, and LED lighting. Learn light-based art techniques that bring fibre forms to life with glowing depth.
Spring/Summer 2026
Cold Wax Medium on Photo Encaustic: Textured Stories1-Day - Beginner to Advanced$200 Including Supplies
Enhance photographs with cold wax texture and encaustic depth. Explore layered mark-making, atmospheric surfaces, and mixed-media methods that create tactile, story-driven photo artworks.
Spring/Summer 2026
Handmade Encaustic Books + Print-making: Waxing Poetic1-Day - Beginner to Advanced$210 Including Supplies
Create handmade encaustic books and wax-printed papers using hot-plate monoprinting, resist markings, and mixed-media tools. Build translucent pages with glowing, wax-infused effects.
Spring/Summer 2026
Get Personalized Training:Private & Semi-Private Tutorials with Shary
Would you like to receive personalized guidance in encaustic, mixed media, or artistic techniques?
Whether you're starting out or refining your craft, I offer one-on-one and semi-private instruction designed to support your unique creative journey.
Learn Encaustic
Shary delights in the art of encaustic painting and has been teaching art for almost 20 years. She offers a professional studio in the heart of beautiful Vancouver, Canada. Classes are small, for individual attention (8 people maximum), and suitable for new and experienced artists. A full range of artist quality art materials are included and provided in your supplies fee. Students bring nothing except wooden substrates for painting, or these can be purchased for a nominal fee in class.
Hear What People Are Saying About Shary's Courses
Learned More Techniques Than I Can Count
"Completely enjoyed Shary’s class – what a great weekend! Over the two days we learned more techniques than I can count. I learned that you don’t have to be an accomplished artist to create something enjoyable and no artwork is a lost cause!"
Elena
"I loved the instructor at the ambiance of the class. The space was great and there was an abundance of materials. Shary is very helpful and gives all students time and care to answer their questions and meet their needs. “
Susan
"Shary is an excellent teacher. Very easy going and informative and the class flowed very smoothly. I loved the space and the supplies."
Val
Such an Informative Course
"I learned so much from this course and my encaustic surfaces are so much better now that I have implemented some of your tips. Thank you!!"
Katherine C.; Review of SMOOTH: How to Create Glassy Encaustic Surfaces course
"Shary is an inspired and inspiring artist and instructor. Her many students, both beginning and experienced artists, give her rave reviews and ask when they can take another course with her!"
Coordinator, Continuing Studies Division, Capilano University
"One of our most respected instructors at Langara Continuing Studies Visual Art for many years, Shary brings a fresh and thorough approach to her teaching with a variety of exciting and innovative courses. Shary has an engaging and informative approach that students find both educational and fun at the same time".
Jeff Burgess
Coordinator Visual Arts and Commercial Illustration,
Langara College Continuing Studies
"Shary's workshop was a really enjoyable, educational day. I learnt an incredible amount about the art of encaustic and left with a piece I can hang on my wall. Shary was knowledgeable about her subject and able to impart that knowledge with ease. She was wonderfully generous with materials. A day well spent and a class I can highly recommend."
Leanne Bishop
Ruby Dog's Art House
"I really enjoyed Shary's class. It was exactly what I needed to feel motivated and excited about art again. She is a wonderful teacher. I have been an adult educator for thirty years so I don't say this lightly."
D.L.
Student
"After having taken several art courses at the college level, I found this class to be above and beyond what I have taken in the past. The instructor was excellent. Excellent course. The instructor was very well-organized and very giving of her time and knowledge."
C.M.
Student
"I thoroughly enjoyed the course as it gave me the opportunity to express myself freely and to explore new ideas in a safe and creative environment.
B.W.
Student