Encaustic painting, also known as hot wax painting, involves using heated beeswax to which coloured pigment or oil paints are added. The liquid/paste is then applied to a support of prepared wood. See section on supports for other materials that can be used.

The simplest encaustic mixture can be made from adding oil paints or pigments to beeswax, but there are several other recipes that can be used, containing other types of wax, and resin, or other ingredients. Pure, powdered pigments can be purchased and used, although they can be dangerous if you do not wear proper protection for you lungs.

Metal tools and special brushes can be used to shape the paint before it cools, or heated metal tools can be used to manipulate the wax once it has cooled onto the surface. Today, tools such as heat guns, and other methods of applying heat allow artists to extend the amount of time they have to work with the material. Because wax is used as the pigment binder, encaustics can be sculpted as well as painted. Other materials can be encased or collaged into the surface, or layered, using the encaustic medium to adhere it to the surface.

This technique was notably used in the Fayam Mummie Portraits from in Egypt around 100-300 AD. Works of the 20th-century Canadian Artist Tony Scherman, considered the
leading exponent of Encaustic. www.tonyscherman.com

Encaustic art has seen resurgence in popularity with people using electric irons, hotplates and heated stylus on a variety of different surfaces including card, paper and even pottery. The iron makes producing a variety of artistic patterns elementary. However, the medium is not limited to just abstract designs, it can be used to create complex paintings, just as in other media such as oil and acrylic.

Mission Statement:

My mission is to promote and stimulate artistic talent and engage in introducing the ancient medium of painting with beeswax to both the artists of the world and the general public so that they may appreciate this wonderful medium.

Lorna F. Kemp

Encaustic  Artist