top of page

Encaustic: The Process...Click on photo.

Moonlight, Fireflies, QueenAnnesLace

Moonlight, Fireflies, QueenAnnesLace

On the wax table.

Moonlight, Fireflies, QueenAnnesLace

Moonlight, Fireflies, QueenAnnesLace

Photo/Sketch Substrate background ready for the flowers to be painted

Color Palette

Color Palette

Encaustic Medium and pigments melt at 180. Painting at 180 degrees or a little hotter if you want extra fluidity a little cooler for a thicker coating and texture, then letting cool and layer, again and again.

Moonlight, Fireflies, QueenAnnesLace

Moonlight, Fireflies, QueenAnnesLace

Sketch, ready for the body of the painting.

Moonlight, Fireflies, QueenAnnesLace

Moonlight, Fireflies, QueenAnnesLace

Milky clouds and flecks of white to start the specks of light the fireflies create on a hot summer night in the garden.

Moonlight, Fireflies, QueenAnnesLace

Moonlight, Fireflies, QueenAnnesLace

Heat gun. Each layer is fused to the next.

Moonlight, Fireflies, QueenAnnesLace

Moonlight, Fireflies, QueenAnnesLace

Ready for the Flowers and the Fireflies.

Moonlight, Fireflies, QueenAnnesLace

Moonlight, Fireflies, QueenAnnesLace

Moving forward, days of working will go by, before this intensive piece is done.

Moonlight, Fireflies, QueenAnnesLace

Moonlight, Fireflies, QueenAnnesLace

Always exhaust the hot smoke from the Encaustic griddle away from you and outdoors.

Moonlight, Fireflies, QueenAnnesLace

Moonlight, Fireflies, QueenAnnesLace

Finished and in the studio.

Breezy Sky & Queen Annes Lace

Breezy Sky & Queen Annes Lace

Background is in, etching complete, flowers being created

Breezy Sky & Queen Annes Lace

Breezy Sky & Queen Annes Lace

Definition, one small stroke after another. Layers of hot wax create these stems and flowers.

On my table.

On my table.

Cinder and Oak Shield Lichen

Cinder and Oak Shield Lichen

All my work starts with an idea and sketch.

Cinder and Oak Shield Lichen

Cinder and Oak Shield Lichen

Getting ready to begin, on the wax table.

Cinder and Oak Shield Lichen

Cinder and Oak Shield Lichen

Working...

Birch Trees on the Shore

Birch Trees on the Shore

All my work starts with an idea and sketch.

Birch Trees on the Shore

Birch Trees on the Shore

Background complete. Now painting in the trunks and branches.

Birch Trees on the Shore

Birch Trees on the Shore

Background complete. Now painting in the trunks and branches.

Birch Trees on the Shore

Birch Trees on the Shore

Using Oil Pastels I rub this into the carved and etched crevices and the dark color adds depth and shadows.

Birch Trees on the Shore

Birch Trees on the Shore

Detail of unfinished piece.

Birch Trees on the Shore

Birch Trees on the Shore

Texture!

On my Wax Table.

On my Wax Table.

Working on Wilderland Maine Little Littles.

On my Wax Table.

On my Wax Table.

Working on Wilderland Maine Little Littles.

Hot Wax Palette and Pigments.

Hot Wax Palette and Pigments.

On my Wax Table.

On my Wax Table.

Photographs, mounted and finished with Encaustic.

On my Wax Table.

On my Wax Table.

Working on Wilderland Maine Little Littles.

Caring for your Encaustic Painting

This piece of art was created with

Beeswax + Damar Resin and Pigments.

Encaustic (to paint with fire) is a process/Technique

of painting that is 4000 years old.

 

How to care for your Encaustic Painting:

Keep out of direct sun, like any piece of art.

Do not leave in a hot car, ever.

Wrap with wax paper and put between two pieces of cardboard if you need to ship or move your piece, this will keep it from becoming scratched.

This piece is made of wax, it will chip and scratch if it comes into contact with hard edged objects.

Every few months polish your piece with the balls of your fingers, it will bring up a sheen that can be reflective and shiny.

Thank you.

I appreciate your support of the arts.

kdb

Maine Encaustic Artist kdb

and Encaustic Art.

Encaustic Painting is a medium that is 4000 years old. It is true alchemy. Bees Wax mixed with Damar Resin+ Pigments, heated to 200 degrees, making it liquid. Many layers of heated encaustic medium and pigments are applied with a natural bristle brush, it is then fused with a heat gun, painting layer upon layer until the piece is finished. All of my work is done on Cradled Birch Board as Encaustic needs a firm, non-bendable substrate or the wax will crack. Some pieces are carved right into the wax creating Encaustic Etchings.

Nature is my Muse and molten Bees Wax is one of my favorite mediums.

I became interested in Encaustic painting in 2008. I studied for several years and started Encaustic Painting in 2010. I am in love with this very warm, medium that smells like honey. It is always a joy to be in my Encaustic Studio.

Over the years I have discovered many things about painting with hot wax. Layers and layers of Encaustic medium and pigments, fused one on top of the next to create a depth that I have not found in other mediums. I like the mysterious look of graphite particles suspended in clear medium layered over a creamy or stark white background. I have also played and worked with the melding of two mediums, embedding photographs or doing photo transfers with my images. The effect is stunning and always a bit of a surprise, depending on the image. I have also created very large pieces, 4ftx2ft, which is 8 sq. ft. of wax.

Etching into the somewhat cooled wax is something I really love. I use a fine needle like tool to scratch onto the surface of the wax. Sometimes I then add Oil Pastel into the crevices and also onto the surface to create the tight scenes of birds, bees, trees and other inspirations from the natural world.

I have been studying, creating and showing my Encaustic Artwork for almost a decade here in Maine.

kdb - Maine Encaustic Artist.

  • Facebook Black Round
  • Instagram Black Round

207.653.9334

Email

© 2008-2025 kdb-art All Rights Reserved

bottom of page