Encaustic Wax Art

Something a little different.  What is Encaustic Art?   In a nutshell it is applying wax coloured with pigment with a heated iron to a suitable surface.

The term encaustic originates from the Greek word enkaustikos which means ‘to burn in’, and it is this application and use of heat during the creation of a piece that is necessary in order that it can be called encaustic.  It is not a new form of painting, but has in fact been around for a very long time with the oldest surviving piece today dating from the 1st Century BC.  Encaustic work is an old form of creating art that is once again gaining popularity as a medium for painting.

Encaustic wax is primarily applied with a heated iron, there are specialist irons for the purpose of Encaustic Wax painting these have thermostats to control the temperature, (while painting it is usually on a low setting), and have a polished metal base rather than a Teflon coating.  Encaustic art can be done on a variety of surfaces, the panels that survive from the 1st Century BC were painted on wood, today wax painting is often applied to a glossy sealed paper surface which resembles photo paper, the glossy surface allows the wax to slide over the surface and allows for the image to be manipulated to a degree with the iron, stylus or other tool.  The beeswax blocks are coloured with pigments, there are a good range of colours available on the market including some metallic colours for adding special effects.  Using different colours of paper under the wax will also give different effects to the finished artwork.

Before starting a painting the work area needs to be prepared so that all tools and materials are easily to hand as there is a small window of time to paint with and manipulate the heated wax before it cools.  While painting it is necessary to have to hand plenty of paper towels or kitchen roll to wipe down the base of the iron between colours.  Something to notice while cleaning the iron before applying the next colour is to be sure to clean the groove behind the back plate as the liquid wax tends to collect there, this needs to be wiped away or it can give you an unexpected addition to the picture.  To keep the work area clean a pad of old white paper, or some scrap wallpaper is best put under the glossy paper so that the iron can glide over the edges of the paper to allow for smooth movement and sweep of the iron when required.  As this form of painting requires the use of heat whether an iron, heat gun, heat lamp, heated stylus etc. it is a good idea to work on a heat resistant surface.

There are various techniques to that can be employed to create various effects.  For example, when using an iron, different effects can be achieved by utilising different areas of the iron from the curved point of the iron, the heel, the sides, moving the iron in continuous passes over the paper or lifting away.  These effects can be added to by the use of the stylus to add finer details, or even by scraping or rubbing out.  Other effects can be achieved by using other equipment, hot plates, hot air guns, rubber tools, specialist brushes.  Encaustic wax is a very immediate medium, yet with the use of a variety of tools also has the versatility to allow re-working.

In the photo above, “Tranquility” on the left and “Fire” on the right are two abstract pieces that I created in Encaustic wax.  I’d love to know what you think of these two pieces, what do you get from them, which one is your favourite, what do you see in them?  For me, I feel a strong sense of peace and calm from the smooth flowing lines and soft, muted colours in “Tranquility” whereas in contrast “Fire” is alive with energy and vitality, it dances and glows.