FAQs
How do I care for my encaustic painting?
Hang and store at normal room temperatures. Avoid freezing and extremely hot temperatures; wax will melt at 150°F / 65°C.
As with all artwork, keep out of direct sunlight as much as possible.
During the first 6-12 months, as the wax cures, an encaustic painting may develop "bloom". Bloom is a naturally occurring hazy white residue. It may also occur if a painting is exposed to cold. Bloom can easily be removed by buffing the surface of the painting.
Encaustic paintings can be buffed to a high gloss using a soft, lint-free cloth. If the original sheen has become dull over time, it can be brought back by repeating the buffing process.
Once an encaustic painting has fully cured and hardened, it will shed dust and dirt more readily.
Will encaustics melt?
I am often asked if an encaustic painting will melt. An encaustic painting WILL NOT melt in your house even if the sun may shine on it for a time. ALL paintings can melt if left in strong, intense heat or sunlight for a prolonged period of time or in a very hot place, like in your car where it may get up to 190F or more. As long as the temperature does not reach 150F, no damage will current to encaustics.
Will encaustics stand the test of time?
Yes! Encaustics will last a long, long time (ask the Fayum funeral portraits😊). If handled properly, you will be able to hand it down to other family members for generations to come.
I’m moving. How should I wrap my paintings?
This is what I do when I ship paintings, and also my recommendation for transport or storage:
First wrap your painting with glassine paper or wax paper. Then put a piece of insulation panel (such as this) cut to size. The insulation will keep the temperature more regulated for the painting. Then bubble wrap very well, especially around the corners. Finally, put in a cardboard box and properly seal. This should protect your painting from heat, cold and moisture.