Visionary artists such as Salvador Dali and Wolfgang Paalen practiced the fine art of 'painting with smoke', other wise known as 'fumage'. More delicate than charcoal, providing intriguing textures and patterns, fumages are an innovative approach to media application.

If you do not have a designated work area which can get messed up, lay out a covering (such as an old tablecloth) to catch the dripping wax.

Prop your board or paper so that you are looking up at it. You'll need to work from beneath most of the time, however if your board/paper is manageable with one hand, it is best to hold it in your non-dominant hand and change the angle you are holding it as the flame moves across the surface.

Light your candle. Slender candles work best, but feel free to experiment. I keep a pillar candle lit nearby so I can quickly re-light the one I'm using.

Begin dragging the candle flame along the underside of the board/paper. You will see patterns forming on the surface of your board/paper which are guided by the motions you make. Vary these motions according to the 'Tips' listed below.

When you are satisfied with your design, blow out the candle(s) and spray the surface with fixative.

Vary candle width/length and wick length. Longer wicks allow for more fluid patterning. Short wicks are good for darker applications, filling in certain areas.

Vary speed at which you drag the candle flame. Try quick, short movements versus slow, long ones.

Vary the angle at which you hold the candle. For example, when the flame is directly parallel to the surface, it will make a circle.

Vary the distance between flame and surface. The closer the flame is to the surface, the darker the color will be.

Try holding your surface at different angles and coordinate the movements of the candle with this. The pattern made depends a lot on movement and angle of both candle and surface. For example, a sideways flame will 'lick' the surface with a light line.

Try creating a 'candle palette'. Have different sized candles with varying lengths of wick on hand to use.

Before you apply the fixative try using different-sized erasers to create patterns in the smoke design. Using this apply/erase method, detailed layering is possible.

Keep flammable items away from your work area.

Spray fixative in a well-ventilated area, away from all flames.

Do not hold flame to surface for a long period of time or it will catch fire/burn a hole through (if using paper)

Always be aware of how close the flame is to the surface. This is why I recommend working from below, or at an angle where the surface is always visible to you. Otherwise, you can easily burn the surface.
Things You'll Need