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| Morocco 2009 Encaustic and Collage on Wood Panel 9 x 12" |
| Spice Cake 2009 Encaustic, Collage, and Crayon on Wood Panel 10 x 10" |
| Sea Cave 2009 Encaustic on Wood Panel 10 x 10" SOLD |
| Landscape II 2010 Encaustic on Wood Panel 9 x 12" |
| Coral III (Blue & Pink) 2010 Encaustic on Wood Panel 10 x 10" |
| Landscape I 2010 Encaustic on Wood Panel 10 x 10" |
| Coral (Green & Orange) 2010 Encaustic on Wood Panel 10 x 10" |
| Coral (Magenta & Green) 2010 Encaustic on Wood Panel 12 x 9" |
Barbara Maricle
Encaustic painting (also known as hot wax painting) involves using heated
beeswax to which colored pigments are added. The liquid is then applied to an
absorbent surface, such as wood, or canvas. Each layer must be fused to the
previous one by slightly re-melting the wax using a heat gun or propane torch.
Metal tools and special brushes can be used to shape the paint before it cools,
or heated metal tools can be used to manipulate the wax once it has cooled
onto the surface. Layers of paint can be scraped off or gouged to reveal
previous layers. Other materials can be encased or collaged into the surface,
or layered, using the encaustic medium to adhere it to the surface.
This technique was used in the Fayum mummy portraits from Egypt around
100-300 AD. Although these wax paintings remained in almost perfect condition
for two thousand years, the use of encaustics fell out of favor by the seventh
century. Twentieth-century, American artists (including Diego Rivera, Arthur
Dove and, most notably, Jasper Johns) used wax in their paintings.
Encaustic painting is enjoying a resurgence among contemporary artists
because of its versatility, fast drying time and ease of revision. One is able to
work in multiple layers while maintaining translucence.
beeswax to which colored pigments are added. The liquid is then applied to an
absorbent surface, such as wood, or canvas. Each layer must be fused to the
previous one by slightly re-melting the wax using a heat gun or propane torch.
Metal tools and special brushes can be used to shape the paint before it cools,
or heated metal tools can be used to manipulate the wax once it has cooled
onto the surface. Layers of paint can be scraped off or gouged to reveal
previous layers. Other materials can be encased or collaged into the surface,
or layered, using the encaustic medium to adhere it to the surface.
This technique was used in the Fayum mummy portraits from Egypt around
100-300 AD. Although these wax paintings remained in almost perfect condition
for two thousand years, the use of encaustics fell out of favor by the seventh
century. Twentieth-century, American artists (including Diego Rivera, Arthur
Dove and, most notably, Jasper Johns) used wax in their paintings.
Encaustic painting is enjoying a resurgence among contemporary artists
because of its versatility, fast drying time and ease of revision. One is able to
work in multiple layers while maintaining translucence.