Encaustic Painting

This course contains:
– 5 Videos
– Lecturer Notes: Encaustic Painting Notes

Encaustic is the name of the technique of painting with heated beeswax. It is one of the oldest ways of painting. There are 2 ancient civilisations that painted with beeswax. An Egyptian portrait that was painted is historically seen as one of the oldest encaustic paintings know to man. Folklore has it that Encaustic started when the Vikings wanted to seal some areas of wood on their boats. Someone (probably an artistic type) then painted something decorative on the beeswax – and Encaustic painting was born.

The method: Over the years painting with hot beeswax has been one of my favourite ways of painting. The method adds a lot of texture and depth to the artwork. The artwork is done in several layers. The video package takes you through the process on a step by step basis. You see me doing an encaustic artwork from start to finish. As I go along, I share the tips that I have learned over the many years that I have done encaustic painting.

The method that I have grown to love, is where you work with the melted beeswax over brightly coloured areas of under-painting. The colour of the under-painting then shines through the layer of beeswax. It is not an easy process to describe on paper, better to follow me when I teach you through the Video package.

If you see it, it is much easier to grasp it!

Marrianna Booyens