What is Encaustic Painting?
Encaustic painting is an ancient art form using heated beeswax mixed with damar resin and pigments. The artist paints with molten wax and fuses each layer using heat, creating rich, textured, and luminous effects.
| Tool / Material |
Purpose |
Notes |
| Beeswax |
Primary medium |
Filtered or natural; combined with damar resin |
| Damar Resin |
Adds hardness and durability |
Usually pre-blended in medium |
| Heat Source (Griddle) |
Melts and keeps encaustic medium warm |
Electric pancake griddle preferred |
| Metal Palette Cups |
Holds melted wax |
Use multiple for different colours |
| Natural Bristle Brushes |
Apply molten wax |
Avoid synthetic brushes—they melt |
| Heat Gun / Torch |
Fuses wax layers together |
Helps remove bubbles and blends layers |
| Encaustic Medium |
Beeswax + damar mix for base and blending |
Available pre-made |
| Pigments / Encaustic Paints |
Colourant added to wax |
Use dry pigments or ready-made paints |
| Scrapers / Etching Tools |
Carving or texturing wax surface |
Rigid tools for encaustic techniques |
| Ventilation Fan |
Disperses fumes |
Especially when using a torch |
Suitable Painting Surfaces
| Surface Type |
Prep Required |
Notes |
| Wood Panel (Birch) |
None if smooth |
Ideal support—rigid and absorbent |
| Cradled Panel |
Optional sanding |
Adds depth and durability |
| Cardboard (Not Ideal) |
Warps with heat |
Use for quick tests only |
| Paper (Thick) |
Mount to wood |
Use watercolour or cotton rag paper |
| Canvas (Optional) |
Mount to board |
Only if tightly stretched and primed |
| Ceramic Tile / Metal |
Clean well |
Unique look, but wax may flake |
Encaustic Medium Recipes
| Type |
Ratio (Beeswax : Damar) |
Notes |
| Standard Medium |
8:1 |
Good balance of hardness and flexibility |
| Soft Medium |
10:1 |
Easier to blend, softer finish |
| Hard Finish |
6:1 |
Best for high-traffic surfaces |
Basic Techniques
| Technique |
Description |
Tips |
| Fusing |
Reheating wax layers to bond them |
Use heat gun or torch evenly |
| Layering |
Building up translucent layers |
Let each layer cool before next |
| Scraping |
Removing wax to reveal lower layers |
Use loop or carving tools |
| Incising |
Drawing lines into wax |
Fill with oil paint or pigment stick |
| Collage |
Embed paper, fabric, or photos |
Fuse over with clear medium |
| Image Transfer |
Transfer toner prints to wax surface |
Burnish + peel, then fuse gently |
| Embedding Objects |
Encase found items in wax |
Use shallow objects (pressed plants, etc.) |
| Burnishing |
Rubbing surface to a subtle shine |
Use soft cloth or wax paper |
Pigment Options
| Pigment Type |
Description |
Notes |
| Dry Pigments |
Mix into hot medium |
Use sparingly and wear dust mask |
| Oil Paint (small amounts) |
Adds strong colour |
Only use oil-based, no acrylics |
| Encaustic Sticks / Cakes |
Pre-mixed wax paints |
Ready to use, wide colour selection |
| PanPastels |
Applied on top of wax |
Must be sealed with clear medium |
| India Ink / Shellac |
For surface detail and crackle |
Use controlled heat for effect |
Finishing Tips
| Step |
Why It Matters |
How-To |
| Fusing Final Layer |
Bonds top coat fully |
Smooths out surface |
| Scrape Edges |
Neatens panel border |
Use warm blade |
| Polish |
Adds sheen and protects |
After 2–3 days cure time |
| Seal (Optional) |
Not necessary, but can protect |
Avoid varnish—wax is final layer |
| Storage |
Keep cool, dust-free |
Avoid direct sunlight or heat |
Safety Guidelines
| Practice |
Reason |
| Use proper ventilation |
Prevent inhalation of fumes |
| Avoid open flames |
Wax is flammable |
| Wear heat-safe gloves |
Protects hands while handling tools |
| Never overheat wax |
Stay below 200°F / 93°C |
| Keep fire extinguisher nearby |
Safety first in all art studios |
Beginner Project Ideas
| Project |
Techniques Used |
Great For |
| Abstract Panel |
Layering, fusing, colour blending |
First project, colour exploration |
| Botanical Collage |
Embedding, incising, scraping |
Preserving leaves/flowers |
| Monoprint Paper |
Print onto paper from hotplate |
Use leftover wax on griddle |
| Photo Transfer Panel |
Toner transfer, layering |
Family photos or vintage images |
| Wax Sketchbook Cover |
Cover wood book with wax |
Custom sketchbook decoration |
FAQ
Can I use regular candles or crayons?
No—only use beeswax + damar resin. Crayons contain additives that burn or smoke.
Do I need to varnish or seal encaustic art?
No. Encaustic work remains durable and archival when properly fused and polished.
How long does encaustic paint take to cure?
Surface dries quickly, but full cure takes 1–2 weeks. Polish only after curing.
Can I hang encaustic art in sunlight?
Avoid direct heat or sunlight—it may soften or distort the wax.