Use wax to prime your wood or canvas.
The word encaustic is derived from the Greek, meaning "to burn in" and refers to the process of melting and fusing. The technique of encaustic painting dates back to the Greeks in the 5th Century B.C., when wax and resin were used on ships. In later years, encaustic painting was used during the mummification process when a portrait of the deceased was painted and placed over the mummy. Encaustic painting involves using wax mixed with pigment, which is applied to a rigid canvas in multiple layers. The technique of encaustic painting relies heavily on texture, but it can be difficult to work with because the paint is a difficult medium.
Instructions
1. Purchase your encaustic paint and wax from an art supply store.
2. Prepare your surface, such as a plank of wood, by making it smooth. Although you can use canvas, it normally sags under the weight of the encaustic paint, so you may want to stretch the canvas over a solid wood panel.
3. Lay your stretched canvas or plank of wood on a flat surface to ensure that the wax does not drip.
4. Prime the piece of wood with a coat of wax and let it dry. If you want to create an even coat for the background of your painting, you may want to melt the wax by blowing the wax with a hair dryer on low heat.
5. Paint using a heavy, heat-resistant paintbrush, pastel pencils or paint to draw your artwork and try to work quickly. Layer the paints differently in desired areas to create different hues. Keep in mind that the wax will make the paint appear more translucent than regular paint.
6. Melt the wax as desired or scrape it away using a painter's knife to create raised areas on your painting.
7. Let the layer harden before you continue painting the next layer.
8. Burnish the surface using a cotton cloth for a satin-like appearance.
