How is encaustic painting made with heated wax?

Encaustic painting is a technique that involves mixing pigments with hot liquid wax, typically beeswax.12

To create the work, artists apply the heated mixture to a support—commonly wood, plaster, or canvas—using a brush or spatula. A defining step of the traditional process is the "burning in," where a heating element or heated iron is passed over the surface. This heat fuses the individual marks into a uniform film and drives the pigment into the support. Once the surface has cooled and been blended, it can be polished with a cloth to achieve a durable, translucent finish.12

While the medium requires constant warmth to remain workable, artists may add resin or oil to adjust the paint's consistency. Modern variations may also utilize simplified methods, such as applying wax mixed with solvents to create textured, impasto surfaces.12