How do I make my own encaustic medium using beeswax and damar resin?
DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING ENCAUSTIC MEDIUM READ CAREFULLY BEFORE BEGINNING! What you will need: Griddle +/or saucepan, beeswax + damar (measured out in proper ratio – which is 3.2 oz. damar with one pound of wax by weight), ladle/sieve (+ cheesecloth for a finer filtering is optional), muffin tins, scraper + blow torch or heat gun. When you buy it from WaxWorks Encaustic Supplies, the bags of wax/damar have been pre-weighed, to make the process easier. We make it 5:1 – one pound of wax is mixed with 3.2 oz. of damar resin to make just over one pound of encaustic medium. If buying your own wax/damar, be sure to weigh out the wax accurately, and use only the damar resin, never the damar varnish. The ratio can be in a range from 5:1 to 8:1 (8 parts wax to 1 part damar resin.) To start: use a griddle with higher sides, if you have one, or put a large saucepan on the surface of your flat griddle, and heat to no more than 220 degrees F. Do not use a sauce pan in your kitchen! The process is mess
