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Encaustic Painting

Encaustic is a beeswax based paint that is kept molten on a heated palette. It is applied by brush or other tools to the paper on plywood over pastels or watercolor or as is, mixed with resin and pigment. It is reheated once it has been applied to the surface in order to fuse the paint to an enamel-like finish.

The word 'encaustic' comes from the Greek and means to burn in, which refers to the process of fusing the paint. Encaustic is perhaps the most beautiful of all artist's paints and is as versatile as any 20th century medium. It can be polished to a high gloss, molded, sculpted, textured and combined with collage materials. It cools immediately, so there is no drying time, yet it can always be reworked.

Encaustic is also the most durable of artist's paint. This is due to the fact that beeswax is impervious to moisture. Because of this it will not deteriorate, it will not yellow, and it will not darken. Encaustic paintings do not have to be varnished or protected by glass.

Encaustic painting was practiced by Greek artists as far back as the 5th century B.C. Most of our knowledge of this early use comes from the Roman historian Pliny, who wrote in the 1st century A.D. According to Pliny, encaustic had a variety of applications: for the painting of portraits and scenes of mythology on panels, for the coloring of marble and terra cotta, and for work on Ivory.

The Greeks applied coatings of wax and resin to weatherproof their ships. Pigmenting the wax gave rise to the decorating of warships. Mention is even made by Homer of the painted ships of the Greek warriors who fought at Troy.

After completion of an encaustic painting there is a curing process of a few months. During this time moisture will work its way to the surface and cause a slight haze. If your painting looks dull, or gets dirty it can be wiped clean with water and buffed with a soft cloth. The painting is stable in a temperature range of approximately 40-110 C. Very hot days can soften the paint somewhat, but will cause no real damage to the painting. If the wax does soften, however, it may rub off onto an object sitting next to it. If dulling occurs, wait until the painting has hardened and buff it.