Exploring Encaustic Inspired by Jasper Johns

Three Flags, 1958 — Jasper Johns

I first learned about encaustic after seeing the flag and target paintings by Jasper Johns. I was drawn to the surface and texture, and that led me to explore the process.

Mixing Damar Crystals with Beeswax

Encaustic medium is made from beeswax and damar crystals (tree sap resin from India and Southeast Asia). The standard ratio is 8 parts beeswax to 1 part damar crystals. The wax is heated, the damar is added, and the mixture becomes the base medium.

Filtering Beeswax and Damar Crystals

To make color, I add oil paint. Before mixing it in, I spread the oil paint onto MDF or Masonite to absorb most of the oil. This leaves mostly pigment, which works better in the wax.

Adding Pigment to the Mixture

Once mixed, I pour the encaustic paint into cupcake molds to cool and harden. Later, I simply reheat the solid pucks and use them again.

Mixing Color

Pouring Encaustic Paint into Cupcake Forms

Yellow in Yellow — Encaustic on Raw Canvas, Framed in Aluminum

Blue Line — Encaustic on Raw Canvas, Framed in Aluminum