Encaustic Paintings

Encaustics is the oldest form of painting— think Egyptian mummy portraits. At that time they melted the beeswax and resin over a fire. Now we use an electric griddle heated to 180 degrees...the mixture is four parts beeswax and one part resin. This is then painted on with a brush onto the board. Then I use a blow torch (some use heat guns) and fuse the wax to a board. Many layers can be applied but needs to be fused at each new layer. I have taught a class on encaustics for the past twelve years at the Bascom Art Center in Highlands, NC...come join us, it's a lot of fun!