Getting Started with Encaustic Art for Under $100

If you've been captivated by the luminous textures and layered depth of encaustic painting, you may be eager to try it yourself without breaking the bank. Here’s a guide to assembling the essentials for encaustic painting—all for under $100!

Encaustic Products to Use in Painting

1. Beeswax and Damar Resin (Encaustic Medium)
Beeswax is at the heart of encaustic painting. High-quality wax, sourced from local bee farmers or suppliers like R&F Handmade Paints in Kingston, NY, is ideal. Look for beeswax pastilles or blocks, which are easy to melt and mix well with pigmented encaustic paint. For encaustic monotypes, locally sourced beeswax will work fine. For painting, however, you’ll need encaustic medium, which is a mixture of beeswax and damar resin. You can purchase 1lb of R&F Encaustic medium for about $26.

2. Pigmented Encaustic Paint
You don’t need a full set to start—try primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) to create a broad color range with basic mixing techniques or go for a monochromatic color theme and pick one dark (warm or cool) pigmented encaustic paint color and titanium white encaustic paint and play with them together. Look for small encaustic paint sticks, which can offer great quality at an affordable price. R&F’s encaustic paint blocks begin at $11 and up.

3. Hotplate & Thermometer
A small, affordable hotplate will serve as your primary tool for melting wax and keeping it at the correct working temperature. Many thrift stores and online marketplaces offer hotplates or mini crockpots for under $30. I found this pancake griddle at Target for under $20.00. Use an oven thermometer on top of your hotplate to make sure to keep your wax at 200F.$7

4. Heat Gun or Small Torch
To create a smooth finish or blend colors on your encaustic surface, a heat gun or a small kitchen torch will be your go-to. Look for affordable versions at home improvement or craft stores; the heat gun I recommend has a variable thermostat adjustment so you can control the temperature. $20 (or a butane torch for $12)

5. Brushes and Tools
Choose natural bristle brushes, as synthetic bristles can melt in the hot wax. You’ll only need one or two basic brushes to start. Hog hair bristles are more coarse and less expensive than Hake brushes made with goat hair. You can find these at most hardware stores. Pottery scraping tools are fantastic for removing excess wax, texturing, and manipulating wax. ($1.50 for a natural bristle brush and $3.00 for a pottery tool scraper.)

COST BREAKDOWN

TOTAL $99.50

Steps to Begin Encaustic Painting

Set Up a Safe Workspace
Encaustic painting involves heat, so make sure you work in a well-ventilated area, ideally near an open window with a fan, to keep fumes at bay. I use both window fans and a ventilation system in my studio. Place your hotplate on a heat-resistant surface.
Melt Your Wax and Add Pigmented Wax
Start by melting a small amount of pigmented wax into small amounts of your encaustic medium, you can see how far you can extend your colors on the hotplate.
Apply Wax and Experiment
Using a natural bristle brush, apply the wax mixture to your substrate. Layer colors and use your heat gun to fuse each layer. Play with different application techniques to create textures and patterns.
Finish and Seal
Once you're satisfied, give the final piece a gentle pass with the heat gun to seal it, enhancing the depth and glossiness of your encaustic work.

Discover Encaustic Painting with Me

Encaustic painting beautifully merges tradition with creativity, letting artists explore texture and color in unique ways. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a curious beginner, encaustic offers a world of artistic possibilities. Join me in my online and in-person encaustic courses to learn more about this wonderful technique.

Starting encaustics doesn’t have to be costly; with a few essentials and a willingness to experiment, you’ll be well on your way to creating your own luminous, layered works of art. Let’s paint!

Getting Started with Encaustic Painting for Under $100