Encaustic Painting Using Beeswax & Pigment

Memories of Yesterday Encaustic Helen Tilston

American Flag by Jasper Johns

The first encaustic painting that caught my attention was Jasper John's, the American flag, at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City more than 30 years ago.  I was spellbound and wanted so much to touch it, it is such a  tactile medium.  The burly guard read my mind and did not let me out of his sight and I did not get to touch it. 

Encaustic,  a wax based painting medium characterized by luminous colour and a lush surface, flourished more than 2,000 years ago in Greco-Roman Egypt.

Encaustic painting, also known as hot wax painting, involves using heated beeswax to which colored pigments are added. The liquid/paste is then applied to a surface—usually prepared wood, though canvas and other materials are often used.  It is then fused to the canvas by blow torch.Layer upon layer of wax and pigment is built up.  It has a luminous quality and a transparency.  The glow from encaustic is magical.  It can be further polished by rubbing the palm of ones hand on the surface  The aroma of beeswax is an added bonus when working in encaustic.  There are synthetic waxes available and more commonly used  for economical purposes.

"Places I have been" Helen Tilston encaustic on canvas

When a Student is ready, the teacher appears.

One day while walking past Ontario College of Art and Design, I stopped in and found that there was a course in encaustic painting commencing in a week. I immediately signed up.  The course was in the old OCAD building during the summer of 1998 which was one of the hottest summers I can remember. OCAD was not airconditioned and one can imagine 16 students with hot wax on burners, blow torches and enthusiasm. Many times hot wax fell on my toes and blisters were common.  We worked on smaller practice pieces but our graduation piece was to be 30" x 40".

Since my graduation from the old campus,  OCAD has a new state of the art building. Ontario College of Art & Design's $42.5 million campus redevelopment, completed in September 2004, features the Sharp Centre for Design, designed by acclaimed British Architect Will Alsop, of Alsop Architects in a joint venture with Toronto-based  Robbie Young & Wright Architects.

Blessings -Encaustic painting by Helen Tilston

God Bless the day I found you Encaustic  Helen Tilston

Home  Encaustic by Helen Tislton

Irish cottages by Helen Tilston Encaustic

A well ventilated studio, preferably a garage, shed, barn is best suited to working with encaustic as it is quite messy. 

Time for a cup of tea and toast with honey.

So my honey bees, how is your weekend?