Encaustic is an ancient medium, used in the Minoan and Mycenean cultures of the Aegean Sea (they revered honey bees) and by the Roman-era Egyptians for the famous Fayum portraits. These paintings have kept their color and luster for centuries.
There are really good encaustic paints and medium blocks that are commercially available but I prefer to make my own. The encaustic medium involves suspending finely ground pigments in a hot wax medium and applying to a rigid support. I enjoy exploring all of the creative possibilities of this technique. As with mixed media work, this medium is very receptive to layering. I enjoy embedding photos on thin papers and other ephemera, and layer with both opaque and translucent hot wax.
There are really good encaustic paints and medium blocks that are commercially available but I prefer to make my own. The encaustic medium involves suspending finely ground pigments in a hot wax medium and applying to a rigid support. I enjoy exploring all of the creative possibilities of this technique. As with mixed media work, this medium is very receptive to layering. I enjoy embedding photos on thin papers and other ephemera, and layer with both opaque and translucent hot wax.
Cookin up encaustic medium...
Damar resin, purified beeswax pellets & raw beeswax
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Molds and encaustic medium blocks
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To make the encaustic medium:
Weigh the ingredients: I use a ratio of 85% pure beeswax to 15% damar resin. (so, 8.5 lb wax + 1.5 lb resin) Over medium heat in large kettle melt the damar resin crystals (crush first to melt quicker). Slowly add in the beeswax, stir till all is melted. |
Encaustic color paint sticks
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Powdered pure pigments
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 Encaustic paint sticks
Pour into molds - I use silicone molds which are the perfect size for smaller size painting projects and bread pans for large projects.
Let cool, pop out of molds and store. Once the medium is made I make a variety of color sticks. I make basic color sticks to have on hand and also make more nuanced colors as I work on different paintings. |
