What is Encaustic Painting?
My studio used to be located in a popular artists building in Boston’s South End. There were many events and Open Studios that brought visitors to my door. Some came seeking out my work and others stumbled upon it as they wandered the three floors full of artists studios. Some had never heard of encaustic painting and all of them had questions… Is this ceramic? Did you bake it in an oven? Why is it so shiny? Will it melt off my wall? Can I touch it? After answering these questions and more I created a sheet to explain what encaustic painting is and how it’s done.
History.
The word Encaustic, from ancient Greek, means “to heat” and that is the basis for encaustic painting - painting with heated wax. The earliest examples of encaustic art were found in ancient Greece and Egypt. Historically, this beeswax and pigment based painting medium was used in a variety of applications, including mummy portraits, and the decoration of terra cotta sculptures. Encaustic as a medium for contemporary artists can be traced back to the early twentieth century. It was the artist Jasper Johns who, beginning in the early 1950s, lavishly painted and dripped with luminous layers of pigmented wax. Johns ignited an enthusiasm for the medium; opening the door for contemporary artists to explore this luxurious, textural, art of encaustic.
Technique.
Wax, primarily bees wax, with or without added pigment and mixed with a small amount of damar resin (a natural tree resin), is heated to a liquid state and applied to a stable ground - usually a board - with brushes. Painting is done quickly, as the wax starts to harden as soon as it is separated from its heat source. Each painted layer must be fused to the next with a heat gun or flame to create a solid piece that becomes the encaustic painting. It is one of the most archival painting mediums since wax is impervious to moisture and the pigments used to color the wax are the same as those used in oil paints, so over time will retain their original colors.
Why I use encaustic.
From the very first time I saw an encaustic painting I was drawn to wax and its tactile and luminous qualities. The smell and viscosity of it are very different from other painting techniques and having used oil paints almost exclusively in art school, painting with wax was a fun and challenging endeavor. Once the technique is mastered it is up to the artist to make wax their own and have a voice with it. I find that creating organic forms is a natural extension of wax’s origin and I like to use the term abstracted landscape to describe my paintings. They are not based on specific places, but my interpretation of the landscape from memories. The pieces have a visual depth that the layering and translucency of the wax convey perfectly.
Encaustic in your home.
As I mentioned above, encaustic paintings, when painted and fused correctly, are just as archival as any oil painting. They seem to absorb light and have an inner glow that comes from the wax.
The beautiful surface of the painting has almost an eggshell finish that is not too shiny or reflective, but will bring a depth and sophistication to your artwork.