What Is Encaustic Art? Exploring the Beauty of Painting with Wax

There’s something undeniably captivating about encaustic art; the way light moves through layers of translucent wax, the rich textures, the sense of depth that seems to glow from within. It’s a medium that’s both ancient and experimental, and for many contemporary artists (myself included), it offers a unique way to fuse storytelling, texture, and atmosphere.

But what exactly is encaustic art?

A Medium Born of Fire and Beeswax

The word encaustic comes from the Greek enkaustikos, meaning to burn in. This refers to the process of heating and fusing layers of wax — the very heart of the technique.

At its core, encaustic painting involves a mixture of beeswax and damar resin (crystallised tree sap), which is melted and combined with pigments to create vibrant, molten colour. This mixture is applied — while hot — to a surface (typically wood), and then each layer of encaustic paint is fused to the previous by heating with a blowtorch.

The result? A beautifully luminous, tactile surface that feels almost alive with texture and light.

A Medium with Ancient Roots

Encaustic painting isn’t new, it dates back to Ancient Greece and Egypt, most famously used in the Fayum mummy portraits. These stunning, realistic depictions have survived thousands of years thanks to the preservative properties of beeswax. It’s a medium that bridges the ancient and the contemporary, the scientific and the soulful.

Why I’m Drawn to Encaustic

Approximately two years ago, I began exploring encaustic painting as a new medium. I was immediately drawn to its tactile nature, the richness of the pigments, and the unique ability to build up texture or reveal subtle, translucent layers of underpainting. 

My background in science also influences how I see encaustic work: the organic patterns, the cell-like structures, the way light interacts with material. It’s a dance between control and spontaneity, between chemistry and intuition.

Want to See More?

If you’re curious to explore encaustic art further, take a look at my Encaustic Collection; each piece is crafted in my studio in Claregalway and carries a bit of that wonder, wax and fire that makes this medium so special. 

Got questions about the process? I love talking shop — feel free to reach out via Contact Page or follow along on Instagram for behind-the-scenes studio moments.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you find as much beauty in encaustic art as I do.
- Elaine Cunningham