Author Archives: Megan Milburn

A few weeks ago I was feeling bummed that I was spending most of my time as an artist on the computer. I found out about a demo on encaustic painting at my school. So I decided to check it out. Dick Blick sponsored the demo, so luckily it was free. Encaustic painting can tend to get a little pricey but like anything, if you like it enough you don’t mind the extra cost. Encaustic paint is very different from any other medium. It’s very versatile and can be reworked at anytime. Paints come in blocks and are melted down in to liquid. As the liquid dries (think wax) it can be textured, sculpted, or scraped. Layers of the paint can be added immediately and can be modified and/or taken off. I like to think of it as a 3D painting. The photo is of the painting I did. It’s on a 2×4 block of wood about a half inch thick.

Here’s some info on the process and what you’ll need to get started. First of all, just like any process, stores are going to try and tell you that there are certain tools you need to get the right effect, although it’s nice to have the recommended materials, it can get very expensive. You may not have to buy most of the materials if you have some things lying around. You will need:

• Wax Paints (come in many colors) $8
• Soy Wax (base coat) $10
• Paint Brushes (use old ones, they will get ruined)
• Any size wood (scrap wood works fine)
• Stove
• Oven Pan (you can heat the pan on the stove)
• Pot (this can be washed)
• Heat gun (a hair dryer works fine)

To begin, heat your pan on the stove. Melt the wax paints on the pan; they will get very runny so be sure to spread the colors out. In the pot, melt the soy wax until it is liquid. Make sure to keep both the paint and wax hot at all times. Remember: it will dry very quickly if it cools. Take your block of wood and with your paint brush, paint a layer of the soy wax as a base coat. Next you can start painting! The fun in encaustics is that you have the freedom to customize the process however you want! Once you start painting the wax will dry quickly, this is where the heat gun (hair dryer) comes in. Use this to keep the paint moist so you can work with it as you make your creation. Remember you can sculpt and engrave the wax. Want to get the drip effect like my painting? Just saturate your paint brush with paint and press it against the edge of the wood so it starts to drip. Hold the wood straight up and down and use the hair dryer to melt the paint for even more of a drip effect. Have fun, but be careful. You’re working with hot wax remember so, don’t hurt yourself for arts sake!