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The word encaustic originates from Ancient Greek, which means "burning in". This element of heat is necessary for a painting to be called encaustic. 

Encaustic means painting with beeswax and damar resin as a medium. 

When you see an encaustic painting, the first thing that will strike you is the unique shine and brightness of its colours. The surface can be smooth or heavily textured, but that shine will always draw you in.

This procedure of applying molten, colored wax to various surfaces was already used by the old Egyptians more than 2000 years ago. The technique was lost for hundreds of years, but rediscovered in the 18th century. If fused properly an encaustic painting can last for thousands of years and still look beautiful.

Encaustic wax can be applied in a molten stage to many surfaces, such as paper, wood, fabric, etc., with brushes, a painting iron, or an encaustic pen. If wax layers are built up, a rigid surface is important. Otherwise, the layers could break when the substrate is bent.

Every new layer of wax must be fused with a heat gun or torch to bond with the wax layer beneath.

Encaustic begins to melt at around 60-70 degree Celcius (140-160 degree Fahrenheit) It should be kept away from direct sunlight like any other piece of art and freezing temperatures should also be avoided.

It can take one up to three years for an encaustic painting to fully cure. A new painting may develop some "bloom", a hazy white residue, at the beginning as the wax is curing. It is completely normal and is easily removed by gently buffing the surface with a soft, lint-free cloth to restore it's original shine.

Encaustic art should not be framed under glass since hot air can get trapped and create a greenhouse effect. 

A 6th-century encaustic icon from

 Saint Catherine's Monastery, Egypt.