Do you want to know what encaustic painting is? It is a form of wax painting that uses a heated wax medium. Colour pigments are added to the medium, and it helps art artists create nice pieces of art. Encaustic art brings real creativity, and continuous practice helps an artist gain skills and expertise. The paintings are usually made of wood, plaster, or canvas, giving a touch of reality. It brings a brilliant effect, and the artist will enjoy creating the artwork. Photo encaustic thus adds unique layers, and you will explore the fantastic texture.

History of Encaustic Art

The word encaustic came from the Greek word ‘enkaustikos’, which means ‘burn in’. It refers to the method of fusing into heat, creating fantastic paintings. Pausias, a Greek painter, got the credit for investing in encaustic painting in the earlier times of the 4th century. In ancient times, Greeks used wax and resin to decorate their ships, and they became waterproof artworks. The painted warships gained the utmost importance and became a popular art form. Wax is highly durable; thus, the paintings become lovely artworks and can also be used to decorate your interiors.

There were three tools used for this process, which are:

#1: Cautarium

It’s a heated metal pallet knife that helps blend different wax colours. Hence, it helps create exclusive artwork and brings your imagination into reality.

#2: Cestrum

This is another pointed stuff that may have been used to draw into hot or cold wax. Artists have also used it directly into molten wax, and they have come up with excellent paintings.

#3: Pencillium

These were the brushes used to apply colours and backgrounds to portraits. Thus, the paintings looked great, and they became popular art forms.

Artists in ancient times used these tools to paint their imaginations, and gradually, encaustic art became one of the exclusive art forms. The heated wax is the most important material, and artists create beautiful artworks. Well-known artists usually used wooden panels to apply the wax colours, and these paintings gained the utmost significance.

A Detailed Guide to Encaustic Painting

Here are the steps which clearly explain how to create the paintings:

Step #1: Preparing the Substrate

Initially, you need to choose a substrate and use painter’s tape to cover the sides of the panel. Once you complete the painting, you may remove the tape to complete the sides.

Step #2: Melting the Encaustic Medium

Usually, beeswax and damar resin are used as encaustic mediums, and you may mix different colours to create unique shades. Check the temperature while heating the medium; keeping it between 150°-200 °F is good.  

Step #3: Apply the Wax

Artists use regular hair brushes to apply the wax and leave them in wax pots. Now, you can start painting, and the colours will have nice effects on your paintings.

Step #4: Fusing the Layers

Now, brush a layer of the motel medium onto the substrate, and you can easily fuse the colours. Thus, you will explore the perfect paintings, and the layers of colours add a natural touch of creativity.

Step #5: Scraping

Different scraping tools help create a smoother surface. Now, it’s time to find the best scraping tools, and it will motivate you to create the paintings.

Once you know the steps of encaustic painting, you will feel confident about creating artwork.

Exclusive Photo Encaustic Styles

There are different methods photographers use to create the encaustic art:

#1: Brushing

The photographer brushes a smooth coating on the image, which helps them explore a flawless image. It improves the overall texture of the photo, and you will learn the importance of the art form.

#2: Adding Wax Layers

Now, it’s time to add the layers of wax, which brings a nice dimension and effect to the image. The heated wax medium helps you fuse different colours; thus, your painting looks great.

#3: Making Changes

Wax brings translucent effects, and you will find the option to combine multiple images. Thus, you will come up with the paintings that feature the true art form.

Finally, you learn what encaustic painting is and how it brings exclusive impacts. Now, you will find intelligent tools creating the best form of encaustic art. Photographers also use the techniques, and you will learn the effects of photo encaustics.