about encaustics

The word Encaustic comes from the Greek word enkaustikos, which means ‘to burn’.  The word applies to both the medium of pigmented wax and also to the process of heating the wax in order to adhere it to a working surface.

  Each layer goes through the burning-in procedure before another layer in applied.  The process is labor-intensive, the ending result, a luminescent effect. 

Works in encaustic are a combination of resin and beeswax and pigment.  As the work ages, the surface becomes harder.  It can be polished or buffed with a clean cotton towel without disturbing the painting or the details.

Wax becomes molten at 150 degrees.  Keep it out of extreme heat and sunlight. Similarly, do not allow it to freeze.  Extreme temperatures can damage most works of art.

Reheating the surface-even after many years- can often repair nicks and dings.

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heat, heat, heat

A hot plate kept at 220 degrees is ideal for melting wax and pigment.

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building layers

Each application of wax must be heated to bond the layer to the layer below.

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