Encaustic Emulsion
Jamie Ribisi was tweeting the other day about about a strange method of using wax paste to beef up acrylic painting. Ok - so it was weeks ago. I’ve been busy.
I can’t be positive but I believe he was talking about wax emulsion. It’s not exactly encaustic but it does look a lot like it.
Beeswax Emulsion
- Melt one ounce filtered beeswax with five ounces of distilled water.
- Mix 1/2 ounce ammonium carbonate with just enough distilled water to make a thin paste.
- Add this mixture to the melted wax and stir until it emulsifies like a mayonnaise and the ammonia fumes are gone.
That’s all. Ammonia carbonate can usually be found in stores as smelling salts or sal volatile. If you have no luck finding those you can substitute a teaspoon of half-strength ammonia water.
How does it work? You mix the paste into acrylic paints (about 30-40% wax by volume) and paint with it just as you would with any other acrylic paint and a palette knife. It dries overnight and has an interesting surface when compared to other encaustic paintings. Your colors will be matte rather than glossy.
I don’t use it a lot myself but it’s great to work with when you are on the road since no melting or fusing is required.
