New Bern Artworks & Company Studio & Gallery

Encaustic painting, also known as hot wax painting, was developed by the ancient Greek shipbuilders, who used hot wax to fill the cracks in their ships. Soon pigment (color) was added and this led to painting on the surface of the waxed hull: an art form was born.

To prepare the encaustic medium, beeswax is melted, a hardening and stabilizing agent is added, and the mixture is then filtered and cooled for later use. When the painting process begins the mixture is melted and pigments are added. Special brushes or metal tools are used to paint and manipulate the encaustic wax onto a surface­­ (usually prepared wood, though canvas and other materials are often used). The wax cools quickly so the painting process is done quickly. Once a layer is applied, a torch or heat gun it used to reheat the wax bonding one layer to another. Other materials such as paper, buttons, leaves, or twigs can be encased into the surface to create a collage effect. Some paintings may have many layers.