Painting with Encaustic Wax: An Introduction
- paigegrobertson
- May 12
- 2 min read
By Paige Gunter Robertson – Encaustic Artist
Encaustic painting, also known as hot wax painting, is an ancient art form that’s as timeless as it is transformative. As a modern encaustic artist, I’m continually inspired by the rich history and versatility of this medium—originally used over 2,000 years ago in Egypt Fayum / funerary portraits that still radiate color and life. In ancient Greece and Rome, encaustic painting was also utilized for various purposes, including decorating war ships, creating portraits and scenes on panels, coloring marble and terra cotta, and working on ivory.
At its core, encaustic paint is made by combining beeswax, natural resin, and pigment. Heated on a palette until molten, this paint is then applied to a rigid surface—typically wood—using natural brushes or palette knives. Each layer is fused with fire, bonding the wax layers into a durable and luminous work of art.
The roots of encaustic painting run deep—2,000 years deep, in fact. The ancient Egyptians used wax and pigment to create Fayum mummy portraits that still shine today. Encaustic was also utilized in ancient Greece and Rome for decorating ships, sculptures and murals.
“I love how the Egyptians used this process and I just went to Egypt to be inspired!”
Standing in front of those ancient works, I felt a connection across time. The same fire that fueled their creativity fuels mine. But today, we blend the old with the new—using heated palettes, metal dippers, and modern pigments to create something completely contemporary.
Encaustic Painting: A Medium with a Mind of Its Own
Working with encaustic wax is never boring. It’s temperamental, emotional, and full of surprises.
“Encaustic has a mind of its own. I tame the phenomenal fire process. It is magic.”
The wax cools almost instantly, then becomes fluid again with heat. Layers can be translucent or bold. Surfaces can be glassy or carved. And each finished piece feels alive—like it holds breath and memory within its layers.
If you’re curious about collecting encaustic wax paintings, or want to learn more about my creative process, I’d love to hear from you. Whether you're new to hot wax painting or a longtime art lover, there’s something luminous here for everyone.
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