About Encaustic Art
What Is Encaustic Art? Encaustic is a Greek word meaning “to heat or burn in” (enkaustikos). Heat is used throughout the process, from melting the beeswax and varnish to fusing the layers of wax. Encaustic medium consists of natural bees wax and dammar resin (crystallized tree sap). The medium can be used alone for its transparency or adhesive qualities or used pigmented. Pigments may be added to the medium, or purchased colored with traditional artist pigments. The medium is melted and applied with a brush or any tool the artist wishes to create from. Each layer is then reheated to fuse it to the previous layer. My book covers and wall art are a combination of my hand dyed fabrics, and/or fibers, threads and yarns that have been covered with or embedded in the wax.
Care of Encaustic Art Encaustic art is extremely archival, but as with any fine art, care should be given to it. There should be no fear of the work melting in normal household conditions. The wax and resin will not melt unless exposed to temperatures over 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Leaving the art in a car on a hot day would not be advisable or in front of a window with direct desert-like sun. It is also sensitive to freezing cold temperatures. Some encaustic colors tend to “bloom” or become cloudy over time. If your art appears indistinct, simply rub the surface with a soft cloth or nylon stocking. Over time the surface retains its gloss as the wax medium continues to cure and harden for up to 1-3 years. |
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