What is encaustic?

Encaustic medium is beeswax combined with damar resin (crystallized tree sap). Adding a specific ratio of damar resin to the beeswax elevates the melting temperature and imparts hardness. Encaustic is incredibly archival, it is impervious to moisture, and will not mold or yellow. Some of the oldest surviving encaustic portraits date from 100-300 AD.

How do I take care of encaustic?

Encaustic art undergoes a natural curing process during its first 6-18 months. The natural curing process causes something called ‘bloom’. This bloom might look like a haze on your art piece and is usually more visible in darker colors. This haze is easily removed by gently buffing with your clean palm, microfiber cloth or even pantyhose. After a period of time your art will retain its shine and require less buffing. If this process makes you nervous please don’t hesitate to contact me and will happily send you a quick video so you can see just how easy it is! 

Encaustic is wax, won’t it melt in my home?

Under normal household circumstances you should have no reason to worry about your art. Like any art you should not place it in direct sunlight or near a heat source. The damar resin which is added to the beeswax elevates the melting temperature. For encaustic to melt, the temperature must reach 150F/65C.

How do you paint with encaustic?

Encaustic comes from greek word ‘enkaustikos’ which means “to burn in”. The medium is heated to liquid form in preparation for painting. While no specific brushes are required, natural bristle brushes that react well to heat are preferred. The paint is then applied to a wood panel canvas. Each layer of paint is fused with heat to the previous layer using a heat gun, torch, or other heated tools.

Do you accept commissions?

Unfortunately I do not accept commissions at this time. If you happen to see something you like on my social media account please feel free to contact me, I can add your name to a ‘first dibs’ list and contact you before I upload the piece to my website. If you have any other questions regarding this matter please feel free to contact me, I would be happy to hear from you!