Encaustic painting From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Encaustic painting, also called "hot wax painting", involves using heated beeswax to which colored pigments are added. The liquid/paste is then applied to a surface—usually prepared wood, though also canvas and other materials. The simplist encaustic mixture can be made from adding pigments to beeswax, but there are several other recipes that can be used - some containing other types of waxes, damar resin, linseed oil, or other ingredients. Pure, powdered pigments can be purchased and used, or some mixtures use oil paints or other forms of pigment. Metal tools and special brushes can be used to shape the paint before it cools; or heated metal tools can be used to manipulate the wax once it has cooled onto the surface. Today, tools such as heat lamps, heat guns, and other methods of applying heat allow artists to extend the amount of time they have to work with the material. Because wax is used as the pigment binder, encaustics can be sculpted, as well as painted. Other materials can be encased or collaged into the surface, or layered, using the encaustic medium to adhere it to the surface. This technique was notably used in the Fayum mummy portraits from Egypt around 100-300 CE, as well as in many works of the 20th century American artists, including Jasper Johns.
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