What is Encaustic?


The word “encaustic” comes from the Greek, meaning “to burn in".

Encaustic painting is the art of painting with pigmented, molten wax. In encaustic painting, a medium is created from a mixture of waxes and resins, melted and pigmented.

These liquid colors can then be used in various techniques of painting, from pouring to brushing - some even use a special iron to apply encaustic paint!
The technique is one of the oldest painting techniques known, dating back to the first century - Often used in Roman Egypt to decorate mummy coffins and tombs. The Fayum mummy portraits are some spectacular examples of ancient encaustic painting that have survived to this day! (Encaustic is a very durable medium)

My own process begins with a mixture of melted wax (beeswax, paraffin, and/or carnauba or other synthetic hardening wax). I pour this “wax base” into small tins, kept warm on a special tray to keep the wax fluid. I then add pigments and blend to create my colors.

Using these tins of colors, I begin to apply layers to my support with natural bristle brushes (synthetics would melt from the heat) One must work quickly to put the layers down, because as soon as it is removed from the heat source, the wax begins to harden!

if one waits too long, one is apt to find the paint hardened on the brush before it gets to the support! As each layer goes on, it is “fused” to the layer beneath it with the applicaiton of heat via a torch or heat gun. This melts each layer together; creating a solid surface of paint, ensuring the finished work will not flake or separate. Once fused, the painting is quite durable.

For examples of encaustic work, see my encaustic gallery