What is Encaustic?

Encaustic is a painting technique that involves using pigmented hot wax to create art. The word "encaustic" comes from the Greek word "enkaustikos," meaning to burn in, which refers to the process of fusing the wax layers. This ancient technique dates back to ancient Greece and Egypt.  ​

 

The 20th century has seen a rebirth of encaustic on a major scale.  Artists such as Jasper Johns and Robert Delaunay employed this technique. Since the 1990s, encaustic art has grown in popularity.​​

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​​​​​In encaustic painting, pigments are mixed with melted beeswax and damar resin, creating a colored wax medium. The artist applies this encaustic medium to a surface and then uses heat to fuse the layers of wax together. This can be done with a blow torch, an iron, a heat gun, or other tools.

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​Encaustic allows for a variety of effects, including layering, texture, and mixed media. Artists can carve into the wax, create texture with various tools, and even embed objects or collage materials within the layers. The wax can be translucent or opaque, depending on the desired effect. Among the advantages of encaustic are its luminousity, durability,  and resistance to moisture.

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