Encaustic Art: The Complete Guide to Creating Fine Art with Wax

Encaustic art is stunning and unusual and in an odd way, haunting. With encaustic art, you are completing a painting in wax. This can also mean taking a photograph and covering it with wax, then adding in your encaustic touches. Due to the veiled opaque-like coating, it is almost like incorporating a fog into one's art and you can't quite tell how the work is done.I purchased several books lately that have tidbits of encaustic art techniques but this one is thick and rich in instruction and ideas and the most complete book I've found.In fact, it's so rich in ideas that I made it a bedside book. It's not a book you leaf through and pick up a few things...this one is truly so complete and has so many different ideas and ways of doing art that it's like taking a course. I don't mean that it reads like a textbook by any means, however. It is fantastic reading and a visual utopia.I have found many books to be by one artists who shows their way but what is unique here is that encaustic artists have all created different ways of doing their art and this book visits some of the top artists, top ideas, top techniques, and then fills you with great examples of things you'd never thought of as well when using wax. It was exactly what I was looking for to spark creative ideas and learn the art form. However, if you are already an encaustic artist, I have no doubt you'll learn from the book as well.A variety of materials are discussed, endless pictures with visual examples of methodology are utilized, and lots of finished pieces are4 shown. The book shows traditional encaustic art examples when it began, all the way up to things that are being done now or can be done.With encaustic art you can rework your piece with heat, yet it remains a lasting piece when done should you decide it is to your liking. If it isn't, the book shows you all the tools you can use to change it via heat, shaving, carving, etc.There pages are heavy gloss and full color and the book is a thick one taking both the beginner and the advanced artists through everything they'd want to discover about the encaustic journey.

This book walks you through every kind of technique & material that can be used & incorporated into encaustic wax. From straight wax on substrate to mixed media, photos. sculpting, molds & 3D projects, tools, mark making, paints, pastels, inks. Lots of photos of processes, and images of the vast variety of wonderful, imaginative pieces that a number of artists have created. Love the book! I purchased this based on others positive reviews & would buy again & recommend this book to anyone with an interest in trying their hand at this ethereal, enchantingly addictive art process. I've read a number of other great books on hot wax, but agree, that so far this is truly the "Bible" for encaustic.And thank you to seller HPB, this VG used condition book was like pristine brand new condition!

This book is extremely helpful for people like me who are just starting out in this challenging medium. Encaustic art is having a tremendous boom right now and a great many professional artists are thinking up new ways to develop it. Encaustics are challenging to neophytes because melting wax is a process that needs a good kitchen, a safe place to melt wax without setting your house or apartment on fire, and safety measures concerning fumes and pigments that contain life-threateninig chemicals. All these issues are covered in detail.Aesthetically the book is splendid as well; it offers beautiful photos of fascinating work by very gifted and inventive artists. A reader is made aware of different paths that can be chosen in this mediulmThe instructions are extremely clear, always described in stages, 1, 2, 3, etc. At the same time, the level of thinking about the artistic side of things is very high.The writer is a talented, generous guide whose writing i'm sure would be admired by the top artists she presents as well as the rest of us!Barbara Guetti

I've just been learning encaustic and had been looking for a good "how-to" to supplement a workshop I'd taken. Overall there's a very nice set of examples that cover a broad range of approaches. It's well written and the illustrations are nicely done. I wish there was more detail on some areas - but that's probably why you end up have a library of resources.

This book covers many aspects of encaustic art for beginners through advanced artists. It will soon become one of the most important books in my art library. It is well written and organized with many examples.

Very instructional.

This is a wonderful visual and information source of the various methods of encaustic that is worth every penny. The quality and caliber of the work in this book sets it apart from other books on the market. The time and research spent visiting with the artists to create this book is made evident by its in-depth and precise explanations of the various methods. Myths or misleading information about encaustic techniques are absent; everything comes right from the source at the professional level. The layout and explanations of materials is clear and the image quality is superb. It is a treat to sit down in my studio and peruse this book. I share it with my students to show the enormous possibilities you can achieve with encaustic. Well done!

This is one of three must have encaustic art books. Clear and concise information with wonderful sample artworks. Highly recommend!

Servirá para principiantes y ni asíNada

Un libro eccellente! Ben articolato, chiaro e ricco di immagini con accurate didascalie. Un testo utilissimo sia per i principianti che per artisti navigati che intendono accostarsi alla tecnica dell’encausto. Consigliatissimo!

This book is a wonderful introduction to the subject of encaustic art. I am a professional artist but new to this technique so I was looking for something really thorough with photo examples, art materials and simple guidance on setting up an encaustic studio. This book offers everything I could want and more. It even includes a section on safety recommendations that is most welcome since some of the materials used in encaustic are toxic and should be handled carefully. Overall an excellent and inspiring book for artists to explore new territory or add to their current knowledge of an ancient, beautiful technique.

So ein wunderbares und außergewöhnliches Buch! Höchst professionell! Leider sind meine Englichkenntnisse nicht so perfekt um alles zu verstehen. Eine Übersetzungsversion wäre toll. Da es in deutscher Sprache kein vergleichbares Buch gibt.

Having recently gone back to working in mixed media, I wanted a guide that would give me the whole truth regarding making medium, techniques and handling. This book is all that and more. If you are interested in just dipping into encaustic or are wanting something to inspire and kick start a new direction, this is the book to use - as a manual, as a project starter, as an ideas resource - in short, the best book on the subject I have seen.