Waxing Poetic: Encaustic Art By: Eileen Bergen http://www.theartfulcrafter.com
Encaustic painting, also known as hot wax painting, involves using heated beeswax to which resins and colored pigments are added. This results in a paste like meduim which is applied to a surface such as prepared wood or canvas.
Encaustic painting methods were invented by ancient Greeks and Egyptians. The word is Greek for “burnt in”. A reason for its popularity was durability of finish when dry. It resists atmospheric conditions and was used to protect sculptures.
However it was almost a lost art form until recently.
To make encaustic medium, you combine beeswax with resins, such as copal, dammar and linseed oil. Dry pigments are then added to mixture. Each artist develops his own special mixture to best suit his technique or style.
Once mixture is right, heat must be applied to make encaustic medium fluid enough to apply. The proper application of heat is what makes encaustic so difficult to master.