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Encaustic

What is Encaustic?

Encaustic is a method for painting with molten beeswax first used by ancient Greek and Roman artists. The word “encaustic” derives from the Greek term “enkaustikos” meaning “to burn in.” The basic encaustic painting method calls for dry pigments to be mixed with beeswax on a warm palette. These paints can be applied to any ground or surface including wood, plaster or canvas. It is traditional to pass a heat source close to the surface of a finished painting to “burn in” the colors - hence, the name encaustic – fusing and bonding them.

Today, encaustic is undergoing a revival for its use in easel painting. Part of this is due to the fact that there are now suppliers of pre-made color wax blocks eliminating the need to carefully mix wax, resin, and pigment.

Encaustic is a very versatile medium. It can be polished to a high gloss, left matte, modeled, sculpted, textured, and combined with collage materials. There is no drying time since it cools immediately, yet it can always be reworked.

Encaustic is more durable than oil 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.

I first became interested in encaustic through the works of Jasper Johns. He revolutionized the possibilities of this ancient medium with his seminal collage paintings of 1954 and beyond. I was fascinated with the texture and brightness of his paintings and was determined to one day explore the medium.

Danielle Rice, “Encaustic Painting Revivals: A History of Discord and Discovery”, Waxing Poetic: Encaustic Art in America, (1999 The Montclair Art Museum), p.5.

“Introduction to Encaustic Painting”, R&F Handmade Paints pamphlet, 2000.