Encaustic Painting

Encaustic painting, also known as hot wax painting, dates back to the Romano-Egyptian Fayum mummy portraits from the 1st Century BC. Today’s artists work with colored wax paints on a heated palette, often an electric pancake griddle. The artist paints built-up layers of wax paint, and “fuses" each layer with a heat gun as the painting progresses. We will be using Encausticos Brand wax paints, which are made right here, in Rochester N.Y. at Rochester Art Supply. In our 2-hour sessions, we will progressively explore basic techniques, starting with brushwork and monoprinting on paper. We will then be working with more techniques, such as collage and textural scraping on a sturdier substrate primed with an absorbent ground. All levels of experience welcome. Included: $75 for materials.