A Unique Demonstration of an Ancient Technique!

Come visit our Studio to see a unique demonstration of the ancient technique of encaustic painting!

Encaustic is a wax based paint (composed of beeswax, resin and pigment), which is kept molten on a heated palette. It is applied to an absorbent surface and then reheated in order to fuse the paint. The word 'encaustic' comes from the Greek work enkaiein, meaning to burn in, referring to the process of fusing the paint. Although they come from the same root word, encaustic should not be confused with 'caustic,' which refers to a corrosive chemical reaction. There is no such hazard with encaustic.

Encaustic is perhaps the most beautiful of all paints, and it is as versatile as any 21st century medium. It can be polished to a high gloss, carved, scraped, layered, collaged, dipped, cast, modeled, sculpted, textured, and combined with oil. It cools immediately, so there there is no drying time, yet can always be reworked.

Encaustic paintings do not have to be varnished or protected by glass. Beeswax is impervious to moisture, which is one of the major causes of deterioration in a paint film. Wax resists moisture far more than resin varnish or oil. Buffing encaustic will give luster and saturation to color in just the same way resin varnish does.

Encaustic paint will not yellow or darken. However, wax itself is photoreactive, so unpigmented encaustic medium that has been kept in dark storage will darken slightly. When re-exposed to light that darkening will bleach out.

The Encaustic Painting Workshop is full, but we invite everyone to come in and see what it is about! November 8-12, 10am to 4pm.

Our Glassblowers will be working in the hot shop next week! Come and watch them for free or sign up for a hands-on glassblowing class to make your own glass creations!