1/5/10 Product Info's Tip of the Week: Getting Started in Encaustics

[Blick Art Materials]

Making New Year’s Resolutions? Why not experiment with a new art medium, such as Encaustic painting. Encaustics have been a hot topic recently, as it offers the best features of various paint bodies. Encaustics can be heavily applied, adding depth and texture comparable to an acrylic medium. While it may be thinned down to the translucency to that of watercolors. And because it may be reheated down, it can be reconstituted back into a flowing paint.

Getting Started
Ventilation – make sure the work space has plenty of air flow, whether it is an overhead fan or a floor stand model.
Encaustic Paints – it may be as basic as the primary colors or an extensive color palette, but choosing colors is a subjective one. We recommend working with a comparable palette to that of your other paints.
Palette – an anodized aluminum palette is essential for heating encaustic blocks. They keep the paint flowing yet won’t discolor the pigment.
Palette Cups – prevent melted encaustics from flowing together on the palette.
Thermometer – means to keep track of the palette temperature.
Fusing Tools - Heat guns, spatula tools, and small torches are handy when creating depth and texture to a painting.
Brushes – natural haired brushes are recommended as synthetics will melt under heat.
Other Tools – sculpting, modeling, etching, and even wood cutting tools add interesting texture and depth to a painting.
Soy or Paraffin Wax- used to clean brushes and tools.

FAQs:
Can oil paints be used with encaustics?
The short answer is yes, oils and wax can be compatible, because they have similar origins. However, a rule of thumb to follow is to always make sure one dominates the other. Add small amounts of oil into encaustic or vise versa. However, mixing equal parts of oil and encaustic can have unstable results, resulting in an uncured, sticky surface.

-Kristal F.
Product Information Specialist

For further assistance using art supplies, feel welcome to contact our Product Information Department at
1-800-933-2542 or e-mail us at info@dickblick.com. Hours of operation: M-F, 8:00am-5:30pm CST.

[PaulsArt]

I use all of these (oil, pigment sticks, pastels) except for acrylics. Although, might have to take that back, because I do use Golden absorbent ground for the surfaces. I also use shellac and dry pigments. I just got some RF pigment sticks from Blick to use in my encaustics. I have heard nothing but good things about the R+F pigment sticks, so I finally had to get some to try them out. I also use oil pastels with them.