What is Encaustic Wax?
Luminous properties of encaustic wax
If you’ve ever stood in front of an encaustic wax artwork and felt drawn in by its luminous layers, subtle textures, and almost ethereal glow—you’re not alone. Encaustic wax has been fascinating artists and collectors for centuries, and it’s a medium I’ve completely fallen in love with in my own practice at Studio Fifty Three.
But what exactly is encaustic wax, and why is it so captivating? Let me take you behind the scenes.
The Visitor #3
The Ancient Art of Wax & Fire
The word encaustic comes from the Greek word enkaustikos, meaning to burn in. This is because heat is an essential part of the process. Encaustic painting dates back more than 2,000 years—most famously seen in the Fayum mummy portraits of Egypt, which still retain their colour and vibrancy today thanks to the durability of beeswax.
At its heart, encaustic is simply beeswax mixed with natural resin (often damar resin). This blend is melted down and then applied to a surface—traditionally wood panels, but in contemporary practice, it can be used on many different bases.
Fayum Mummies Portraits
How It’s Used in Art
Working with encaustic is like painting with molten glass. While the wax is warm, it’s brushed, poured, or even sculpted onto a surface. Each layer must then be fused with heat—often using a blowtorch or heat gun—to bond it permanently to the layer beneath.
The result? A surface that is rich, tactile, and layered. Artists can:
Build depth with multiple translucent layers.
Embed materials such as fabric, or natural objects within the wax.
Scrape back or carve into the surface to reveal hidden colours or textures.
Polish areas for a glossy shine, leaving others matte for contrast.
No two pieces are ever the same—the process itself is as organic and alive as the wax.
Encaustic Wax Palette
Why Collectors Love Encaustic Art
Aside from its history and beauty, encaustic has qualities that make it unique:
Durability – Beeswax is naturally resistant to moisture and fading, so encaustic artworks can last for generations.
Tactile depth – The surface is smooth yet textured, encouraging light to dance across it.
Organic warmth – Because it’s rooted in natural beeswax and resin, encaustic art feels alive, earthy, and timeless.
Each artwork carries the alchemy of fire, wax, and imagination—making it something truly special to live with.
Who By Fire
Why I Work With Encaustic
For me, encaustic wax offers both freedom and surprise. I can paint delicate petals, sculpt flowing forms, or even create three-dimensional bowls and vessels, all while embracing the unpredictability that wax and fire bring.
It’s a medium that lets me layer my ideas—literally—while honouring the natural world. Every brushstroke, every fuse of heat, leaves behind a trace of movement and energy that you can feel in the finished work.
Working in encaustic wax
If you’d like to explore my collections, visit at our online gallery