Isabelle Gaborit
About Isabelle
Isabelle Gaborit is a professional visual artist originally from La Rochelle, France, now based on the west coast of Ireland. She holds a BA (Hons) in Fine Art and began her creative journey studying sculpture, drawing, and painting at l’École des Beaux-Arts in Poitiers, France. Since graduating in 2006, her work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally, with showcases in the USA, Northern Ireland, China, Germany, and France.
As a contemporary artist, Isabelle’s primary medium is encaustic—an ancient painting technique that resonates with the passage of time. Her artistic practice is deeply rooted in mark-making and gesture, drawing inspiration from her daily sketching routine. Through this process, she captures the essence of her surroundings, translating visual memories—forms, colors, textures, and patterns—into layered, evocative compositions. Her work mirrors the dynamic forces of nature, emulating geological processes of construction, erosion, and renewal. Each painting evolves through a tactile, physical process, as she layers pigmented beeswax, scrapes and carves cooled surfaces, and sculpts textures that reflect the landscapes shaped by time. The resulting pieces invite viewers to engage with their intricate surfaces, revealing traces of history, memory, and place.
With over 20 years of experience facilitating art workshops, Isabelle regularly leads workshops and art retreats both nationally and internationally. Beyond teaching, she is deeply committed to mentoring emerging artists. Through the IEA Mentor Program, of which she is a board member and the Mastrius platform, she provides guidance and coaching to help artists develop their professional practice, refine their creative voice, and establish a strong artistic presence. Additionally, as one of R&F’s Core Artist Instructors, she serves as an ambassador for their materials, sharing her expertise with students worldwide.
You can view Isabelle’s work at:
isabellegaborit.com
www.instagram.com/isabellegaboritencaustics
www.facebook.com/isabellegaboritencausticartist
Class Details
The art of touch: Mastering brush and blowtorch techniques in encaustic painting
Encaustic painting is a dynamic and tactile process where every touch makes a difference. This session focuses on refining your brushwork, mark-making, and blowtorch techniques to create depth, texture, and expressive compositions.
We’ll begin by exploring brushwork techniques, from delicate strokes to bold gestures, demonstrating how pressure, brush angle, and layering can shape your painting’s visual impact. You’ll discover how intentional mark-making can add movement and dimension, guiding the viewer’s eye through your composition.
Next, we’ll cover blowtorch manipulation, learning to balance heat application for controlled fusing. Understanding when and how to apply heat at different wax stages allows you to blend layers seamlessly or create striking textures.
Finally, we’ll dive into subtractive techniques such as scraping, carving, and etching, revealing underlying colours and intricate details that add complexity and depth. Through guided demonstrations, you’ll develop a deeper sensitivity to the encaustic medium, enhancing both precision and spontaneity in your work.
Whether you're new to encaustic painting or looking to refine your skills, this workshop will help you harness the power of touch to elevate your creative process.
Finding your voice through a visual diary
Discovering your artistic voice is a journey of exploration, experimentation, and self-discovery. In this session, we’ll delve into how keeping a visual diary can help you uncover patterns, refine your style, and develop a deeper connection to your creative process.
Your artistic voice is shaped by the colours, textures, shapes, and compositions that resonate with you. Through guided exercises, you’ll learn how to identify recurring themes in your work, recognize what inspires you, and make intentional choices that bring coherence to your art. We’ll explore mark-making, sketching, and collecting visual references as tools for self-reflection and artistic growth.
By experimenting freely and observing your instincts, you’ll gain clarity on what makes your work unique. This workshop is about trusting the process, embracing curiosity, and allowing your artistic voice to emerge naturally. Whether you’re just starting or refining your style, keeping a visual diary will provide insight into your creative journey and guide you toward a more authentic expression of your art.
