Encaustics is a wax-based paint, composed of beeswax, dammar resin (tree sap), and pigment. Molten, the wax is applied to an absorbent surface, and then heated to fuse each layer, building dozens of layers to create a translucent, 3-dimensional quality to the artwork. It is an ancient technique used for mummy portraits as far back as 100 AD. Encaustic means to ‘burn-in’.  Swapping out paintbrushes for fire and flame, encaustic is a challenging and exciting medium to work in.