Introduction
Encaustic is composed of beeswax and resin. It is applied molten to a surface and fused to create a lustrous enamel effect. It is also the most durable of all artists’ paints, since wax is impervious to moisture and over time will retain all the freshness of a newly finished work.

Although its history goes as far back as the 5th century B.C., encaustic is so versatile that over the last 50 years it has achieved popularity as an unusual alternative to oil and acrylic paints. What has particularly attracted modern painters is the spontaneity and variety with which encaustic can be used.

Basic Method
The paint is applied with a brush or spatula or poured or dripped onto a sturdy support — usually a board. It is easier to work horizontally, but working vertically can create a dripping effect. The paint will harden immediately or in a few minutes (depending on thickness or color). It should then be re-melted (fused) on the support. It is important to fuse between layers to prevent them from separating when applied thickly.

When the painting has cooled, it has reached its permanent state. No further work (other than a mild buffing) needs to be done. Additional work, however, such as glazing, scumbling, repainting, texturing, or layering may be applied directly to the final surface, immediately or many years later. Work can be erased by simply scraping off the paint.

Creating Optical Effects
Variation in transparency can be achieved using encaustic medium and layering. Both opaque and transparent colors can be extended with encaustic medium to make them more transparent. Layers of extended color can be laid one on top of another or separated by layers of straight medium to create unusual translucent effects. Opaque colors used straight have total hiding power and bright top tones.

Glazing can be done by greatly extending a color with mediums such as Venice turpentine or Damar varnish. There is no technical danger in adding large amounts of medium to a color as there is in adding large amounts of oil to oil paint. The encaustic can also be made more fluid by adding medium or by raising its temperature a little.

For variation in dimension and texture, different degrees of fusing can be employed. Well-fused paint will take a higher polish than paint that is not as thoroughly fused. The painting and fusing of encaustic can be done with great precision, but it is a technique that requires practice.