Encaustic is an ancient medium, used in the Minoan and Mycenean cultures of the Aegean Sea (where honey bees were revered) and by the Roman-era Egyptians for the famous Fayum portraits. These paintings have kept their color and luster for centuries. 
I enjoy making my own encaustic medium and paint colors because the process helps me to really understand this medium.  For those who don't have the space, tools or time to make their own encaustic medium there are excellent encaustic paints and medium blocks that are commercially available (check out R&F Paints or Enkaustikos).  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. 

Cooking up encaustic medium...

Damar resin, purified beeswax pellets & raw beeswax

Molds and encaustic medium blocks

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

Powdered pure pigments

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.

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Next: get ready to paint - Setting up

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