A painting technique using heated wax mixed with colored pigments, applied to a surface and then reheated to fuse the layers. The method creates rich, luminous colors and allows for both fine detail and bold textural effects.
From Greek 'enkauston' meaning 'to burn in,' referring to the heat required to fuse the wax layers. The technique was used extensively in ancient Egypt for mummy portraits and was revived by modern artists in the 20th century.
Encaustic painting is like sculpting with melted rainbows - the hot wax can be carved, layered, and textured while warm, then polished to an incredible luminous sheen when cool! The famous Fayum mummy portraits from ancient Egypt still glow with life after 2,000 years because wax is one of the most permanent painting mediums ever developed.
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