Techniques
     Encaustic painting consists of very old techniques with the modern developments of other media. Encaustic offers the same attractive layering, glazing, sgraffito and impasto techniques used in oil and acrylic painting. Once you have experienced these techniques with encaustic, experiment to achieve other results from a smooth, even surface to integral cracks in the surface.

     Modifying Wax
     To soften beeswax into a paste, place some wax into a closed container and add a small amount of white spirit or turpentine. Close the jar and set aside. Shake the jar every few days until the liquid is absorbed, creating a buttery wax paste. The more solvent added, the softer the paste.

     Glazing
     As with traditional paint, glazing with encaustic is possible. When preparing the wax, add only a very small amount of pigment. Paint this thin wax over thicker work to modify the underlying layer. Clear wax can also be used to mute strident colours.

     Brushing
     Hot, coloured wax can be applied to the work using quick, short brush strokes. Keep your container of wax close at hand; once removed from the heat source, the wax will harden quickly. As layers of colour build up, the brush marks can be softened with a hot-air gun or heat lamp.

     Sgraffito
     Dried wax is perfect for scratching or scraping using any sharp implement. Flat blades can scrape layers back to the original surface. Palette knives can be used to apply other layers after the wax has been softened with a hot-air gun. Carved textures can result from heavier impasto forms.

     Ironing
     A flat iron can be used to heat the work from underneath for a range of effects, or be used as a heated palette knife. Wax can be smeared onto the hot iron surface and then smoothed across the painting surface, leaving a thin glaze of wax. The iron can also be used to stipple across the surface to create linear textures.

     Hot-Air
     A hair gun set to high is a useful tool to soften and liquify, making it possible to manipulate the wax around the support. Take care not to soften or spoil work not meant to be changed. Also valuable for blending dry or hard brush work.