Encaustic
A painting technique that uses hot wax mixed with colored pigments.
What is it?
Encaustic is an ancient painting technique. The artist mixes colored pigments with hot beeswax and applies it to a surface like wood or canvas. The wax cools and hardens quickly, so the artist must work fast. Encaustic paintings can last a very long time because wax does not decay easily. Many Fayum mummy portraits were painted using encaustic. This technique gives the portraits a lifelike, glowing quality. The child mummy portrait you saw may have been made with encaustic or tempera.
Why it matters
Encaustic is one of the oldest painting techniques. It was used by ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians. Understanding encaustic helps you appreciate the skill of ancient artists.
Where you've seen it
This list grows as you capture more encaustic paintings.
