FAQs
FAQ: Is it true that encaustic is a toxic medium?”
Both the beeswax and resin are organic materials. Beeswax has a lower flashpoint than petroleum based waxes. It's melting temperature is 178° and should be kept at a consistent temperature not exceeding 225°.
Pigments are made up of mineral particles, and can be toxic and harmful to the skin and the liver. We recommend you wear a 3M Particulant mask when handling pigments.
Wagner Encaustics handles the pigments for you, they come already combined with the pigments and resin for your convenience, so there is no handling of pigments. Encaustic itself is toxic when brought to a boil or overheated.
Once the pigments bond with the wax and resin, encaustic is virtually non-toxic provided it remains at a constant non-boiling temperature. To prevent the build up of toxic vapors, it is necessary to have your encaustics set up in a well ventilated room.
FAQ: "What is fusing and why is it necessary?"
Fusing defines encaustic which means "to burn in". Once the wax is applied to the surface, it sets quickly. Heat needs to then be reapplied to properly adhere the wax to the surface. Fusing is necessary between each layer of the painting to ensure surface stability.
FAQ: “Can I use synthetic brushes for encaustic painting?”
No they will melt and it will smell very bad in your work space. It is recommended you use hog bristle brushes versus hair as they stand up better to the heat.
FAQ: "My medium looks foggy on the surface, how do I fix that?"
Foggy medium occurs when either too much medium is applied in one area and/or, it is not fused enough. You can scrape off excess medium and re-fuse it to solve this.
FAQ: “Can I mix water based paints into the wax?”
No, wax is impervious to moisture so mixing a water-based paint into it will create a resist much like oil and water. An acrylic surface (including that of gesso) is not absorbent enough as an initial layer to adhere to wax.
FAQ: “Can you use encaustic over a dry acrylic painting as a top coat?”
Yes. You cannot however do acrylic painting over an encaustic surface.
FAQ: “What is the white dust I see on my painting?”
That is oxidation otherwise known as "blooming" which is caused by air getting into the top surface layer. It is the same oxidation you see on the outer layer of candles. This occurs when there is not enough resin in the wax or tempertures fluctuate. Resin is added to the wax to deoxidize it.
FAQ: “What is recommended to prepare my painting surface?”
You can prime the surface with our Titanium White, rabbit skin glue, Gamblin Ground or any color wax.
FAQ: “Can you mix other types of waxes with beeswax?”
Yes. You can mix petroleum-based waxes such as carnauba, microcrystalline and paraffin. A blend of 50 percent beeswax, 25 percent microcrystalline and 25 percent paraffin works very well.
FAQ: “What can be achieved by mixing waxes?”
Mainly surface flexibility. Petroleum based waxes have more plasticity and can be applied to stretched canvas and are easy to transport.
FAQ: “Can encaustic painting be done on a canvas?”
With beeswax, a stretched canvas alone will not provide the support beeswax needs which will lead to cracking. It is recommended that you use a hard wood such as birch, masonite, Claybord or plywood. However, if you like the surface quality of canvas or linen, you can stretch it over the board. The hard surface is recommended mainly because beeswax tends to chip if applied on a flimsy surface. Petroleum based waxes such as microcrystalline, paraffin or carnauba, mixed with beeswax hold up very well on canvases alone due to their plasticity.
FAQ: “Can I mix oil paint from a tube in the wax?”
You can but consistency will vary greatly. It works well mostly with earth tones; umbers, siennas or black and prussian blue. It is recommended that you squeeze some of the paint onto a paper towel to leach out the linseed oil from the paint. Linseed oil, often used to make wax paste, tends to soften the wax. Cadmiums, titanium or ultramarine do not mix well from a tube, they break and discolor due to the heat.
FAQ: “Are encaustic paintings susceptible to melting?”
No, the only way an encaustic painting will melt is if it’s left inside a house that’s burning down. However, if you leave an encaustic painting in the trunk of a car during a heat wave, it may become soft and tacky.
FAQ: “What is recommended for wrapping, transporting and general care for an encaustic
painting over time?”
You can wrap the paintings in plastic sheeting, glassine, acid free bags, or wax paper. Bubble wrap is fine with the flat side against the painting and provided the surface will not be exposed to excess heat. Due to atmospheric temperature variations, encaustic paintings will sometimes dull over time but you can always buff it back to its original luster.
If you have further questions about encaustic, we would like to hear from you. Please e-mail us.
