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Creating an Encaustic Look with Acrylics

18 thoughts on “Creating an Encaustic Look with Acrylics”

  1. Fantastic article, I love to do encaustic painting, but it can be costly and dangerous when working with hot wax. This is a fun and safe way to create the muted soft look of wax. I am going to give it a try. Many thanks for sharing.

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  2. Thanks for this great post! I’d like to give this a try. Is there also a formula for the last test strip? Or is that just one medium?

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  3. I loved working in encaustics as an art student in college. Now retired from teaching, I’d like to try again, but find it too “high maintenance.” Thank you Stacy for writing this wonderful article on “acrylic encaustics.” I definitely will give it a try. It would be nice to have an additive that would give the gel the authentic melted beeswax aroma!

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  4. I love the look of encaustic but find that there are limitations with the practicality of using the medium. I’m wondering if it’s possible to apply this over an oil painting? If not, do you suggest another alternative for encaustic that would give a similar look over oil?

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    • Hi Kristina,

      Acrylics do not adhere to oils, so we would not recommend using these mediums on top of an oil painting. You may be able to get a waxy look with a cold wax medium, but please follow the guidelines on the label about maximum additions to oil paints.

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      • Ive worked with cold wax and did not find it very forgiving. Also the petro smell caused me to discontinue using it.
        With certain mediums it does not completely dry and again the smell……….

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  5. It would be helpful to see example of finished pieces using this method. I am not sure I can see from the video what it might be like on a real painting. Thank you!
    Marie

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    • Hello Tracy, Thank you for your question. With acrylic paints, mediums, and gels, the next coat can usually be applied as soon as the one on the surface is dry enough not to lift and mix into the next application. Since acrylics dry through evaporation, low humidity, warm temperatures, and an air flow can all increase drying speed while cooler temperatures (not beneath 50 Fahrenheit), high humidity, and still air all slow down drying. Another important component to dry time is how thick the application is, since thin layers dry very quickly compared to thick layers. In an environment of 70ºF/21ºC and 30% relative humidity, a brushed on application similar to the thickness of Heavy Body or Regular Gel might be dry in 10 minutes. Using Retarder, Glazing Liquid, or the OPEN products will slow down drying. Our Just Paint article “Suggested Drying Times Between Acrylic Products” might be informative. We hope this is helpful. Please email help@goldenpaints.com if you have more questions.

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