I still remember the first time I heard about encaustic painting. I was flipping through an art magazine when I saw these beautiful pictures made with melted wax.
At first, I thought they were just regular paintings, but something about them felt richer, almost like the colors were glowing.
I was curious, so I did some research, and that’s how I learned about encaustic painting.
If you’re new to this art style, don’t worry. Encaustic painting might sound fancy, but it’s really just painting with hot wax. And it’s a lot more fun than it sounds.
In this blog post, I’ll show you easy-to-understand encaustic painting examples.
No matter if you’re a student, beginner, or just someone who loves crafts like I do, you’ll enjoy learning about this unique way to make art.
What Is Encaustic Painting?
Encaustic painting is a type of art where the main tool is hot wax.
Artists paint pictures using a mix of beeswax, resin, and color pigments. This hot wax is spread onto a surface, like wood or canvas.
It dries quickly, which lets the artist layer and scrape to add texture.
This painting style is very old. It was first used in ancient Egypt over 2,000 years ago. People would paint portraits on wood using melted wax. These pictures still exist today, and they look amazing.
Wax keeps colors bright for a very long time. Many modern artists now use this method because it’s bold and creative.
The melted wax can be smooth or rough. You can make it shiny or dull. You can even stick things like paper, string, or leaves into it.
Famous Encaustic Paintings
Encaustic painting has existed for thousands of years, and some wax artworks are still admired today.
1. The Fayum Mummy Portraits
These portraits come from ancient Egypt, around 100 to 300 AD. They were painted on wooden boards and placed on mummies.
The artists used hot wax and colored pigments to show the faces of real people.
Even after so many years, the colors still look bright. These paintings are some of the oldest and most famous encaustic works in the world.
2. Jasper Johns – Flag (1954–55)
Jasper Johns is a well-known modern artist. One of his most famous works is called “Flag”.
It shows the American flag, but it’s made using encaustic wax, newspaper, and fabric.
The texture and layers make it look unique. Many people think this painting helped bring encaustic art back into modern times.
3. Lynda Benglis – Wax Pieces
Lynda Benglis is another modern artist who works with wax.
She doesn’t always make pictures; sometimes, she creates sculptures and colorful forms using melted wax.
Her encaustic pieces look bold, fun, and full of energy.
4. Tony Scherman – “The Junkie” Series
Tony Scherman is a Canadian artist known for using encaustic techniques in his portrait series.
One of his most powerful works is from “The Junkie” series, where he paints intense, emotional faces using layers of hot wax and rich pigments.
The wax gives the portraits a deep, textured look that feels almost alive.
Scherman’s encaustic style blends history, emotion, and bold color, making his work stand out in modern art galleries.
Tools Used in Encaustic Painting
Before we look at encaustic painting examples, it helps to know what tools are used.
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Beeswax | Main ingredient, melts easily and holds color |
| Resin | Strengthens the wax and adds a shiny finish |
| Pigmented Powder | Adds color to the melted wax |
| Heat Source | Used to melt and move wax (e.g., hot plate, heat gun, blow dryer) |
| Heat-Resistant Brushes | Apply wax and color; must withstand high temperatures |
| Wood Panels | Common surface for encaustic painting—more stable than canvas |
| Scrapers & Carving Tools | Create lines, textures, or remove layers from the wax surface |
Some people also use irons or heat guns to spread the wax around, which is like painting and sculpting simultaneously.
Encaustic Painting Example
There are so many fun ways to use melted wax in art.
Below are some easy and creative encaustic painting examples that anyone can try, whether you’re a beginner, a student, or just curious about this unique style.
1. Abstract Swirls of Color
One of the easiest encaustic painting examples is an abstract swirl. This means you don’t have to paint a perfect picture. Just melt different colors of wax and swirl them around.
Start with a hot surface. Pick two or three colors. Use a brush or heat tool to mix them on the panel. You can tilt the board or blow on the wax to move it around. This creates amazing patterns.
This kind of art is perfect for relaxing. You don’t need a plan; enjoy the flow of the wax and see what happens.
2. Wax and Paper Collage
You can stick pieces of paper, newspaper, fabric, or photos into the wax.
First, melt your base layer of clear wax. Then, place your paper shapes where you want them. Add more wax on top. Use a scraper to press it down or smooth the surface.
This encaustic painting example is great for making memory boards or vision collages. The wax protects the paper so that it won’t tear or fade easily.
3. Nature Art with Leaves and Flowers
Want to bring the outdoors into your artwork? Try this nature-themed encaustic painting idea.
Collect some dry leaves or flowers. Start with a layer of colored wax. While it’s still warm, gently press your dried leaves onto it. Then add a thin layer of clear wax on top.
You can use carving tools to outline the leaves or add extra texture. This project looks lovely and also lets you keep a little piece of nature forever.
4. Textured Ocean Waves
Many artists love to use encaustic painting to create oceans and water scenes. The melted wax flows like waves, and the blue and white colors blend beautifully.
Start with a deep blue background. Then, add lighter blue, white, or even green wax. Use a heat gun or blow dryer to move the wax in wave shapes.
You can carve lines into the wax to look like foam or ripples. This is a relaxing project, and the results are always different!
5. Portraits in Wax
This is a more advanced encaustic painting example, but it’s very impressive. Some artists create face portraits using colored wax.
You can sketch the face lightly first. Then use small brushes to paint the details, layer by layer. Wax dries fast, so you need to work quickly or reheat the area.
This style was popular in ancient Egypt. They painted real people’s faces on wood panels for tombs.
Today, people still use this method to create strong, long-lasting portraits.
6. Geometric Shapes
For a modern look, try painting with clean lines and bold shapes. You can use tape to block off areas before adding wax.
Start by tapping a triangle or a square. Fill it with wax in one color and let it dry. Then peel off the tape and make a new shape next to it.
This example shows how encaustic art can be neat and sharp, not just swirls or messes.
It’s a great project if you like balance and symmetry.
7. Rainbow Layers
If you love color, you’ll enjoy this encaustic idea. By layering colors, you can make a rainbow. Start with red, then orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. Use a scraper to smooth each layer.
You can also scrape through the top layers to let the bottom colors show through.
This technique is fun for kids and adults. The finished piece looks bright, playful, and full of life.
8. Inspired by the Sky
Look up at the sky, whether in the morning, noon, or night. Then, try to paint it using wax.
Use soft colors for sunrises and sunsets. Try dark blues and stars for a night sky. Blend colors with a heat gun. Add tiny dots of white wax for stars or clouds.
Sky-inspired encaustic paintings are peaceful and beautiful. They’re great for beginners and let you use your imagination.
9. Story Panels
This is one of my favorite encaustic painting examples. Using wax and collage, you can create a storyboard.
Paint several small scenes on one panel. Add pictures, drawings, or words to tell a story. Each section can show a different part of the tale.
This is a perfect art project for school or family fun. It combines creativity, storytelling, and a bit of waxy mess.
Tips for Beginners
If you’re excited to try encaustic painting, here are some quick tips:
- Start simple: try abstract shapes or swirls first.
- Use safety tools: melted wax can get hot.
- Work in a well-ventilated space: keep the air clean.
- Keep your heat tools nearby: wax hardens fast.
- Have fun: there’s no “wrong” way to do it.
Encaustic painting is not about perfection. It’s about trying something different and enjoying the process.
Conclusion
I hope these encaustic painting examples have inspired you as much as they inspired me. When I first tried painting with wax, I had no idea what I was doing, but I had so much fun.
The colors, textures, and freedom to create anything I wanted made it one of the most enjoyable art projects I’ve ever done.
You don’t need to be a pro or have a fancy studio. Just a few tools, some wax, and a little curiosity are all it takes. If you’re making swirls, ocean waves, or even writing your name in wax, the joy is in the making.
So why not give it a try? Make a mess, laugh a little, and see what you can create with melted wax.
You never know, you might fall in love with encaustic painting, just like I did.