What is Encaustic Art?
Simply put, Encaustic art uses a paint made from beeswax, resin (a hardener), and pigment. The paints are solid and must be heated before using. While the paint is in a liquid form it is painted on a substrate, most often something stiff, like wood, so that the wax won’t crack when bent. The paint cools quickly, so there is no drying time. The paint can be reheated while on your substrate to allow for changes. Encaustic is impenetrable, so there is no deterioration over time. It does not need to be framed under glass.
Encaustic paints allow for beautiful textures and can be molded in many ways. Translucent colors can be layered creating a tremendous depth in your painting. Mixed media artists can use encaustic paint in new and unusual ways. Encaustic paintings can be buffed to a shine, creating a luminescence unique to the medium.
A Little History
The word encaustic comes from the Greek word meaning “burnt in”. Greek artists borrowed a method from ship painters who painted the hulls of ships with wax to protect them from water damage. Encaustic paintings date back as far as the fifth century B.C., when they were used for funeral, or mummy portraits by the Greeks and Egyptians.
When tempera paint came into use, encaustic was largely left behind. Tempra was cheaper and easier to use. In the 20th century, encaustic painting has had a resurgence with artists like Diego Rivera and Jasper Johns, largely due to the advent of electric palettes and other tools, making the medium easier to use.