So… what is encaustic?
Encaustic is one of the oldest painting methods in the world. The word comes from the ancient Greek enkaustikos, meaning “to burn in.” Every layer of wax must be fused with heat—a slow, intentional process that gives encaustic its depth, luminosity, and unmistakable presence.
Long before oil paints existed, artists worked with molten beeswax and pigments. Today, that same ancient technique is brought into the present through photo encaustic.
Encaustic medium is created by combining beeswax with damar resin, a natural resin harvested from trees in Indonesia. This mixture strengthens the wax and gives it clarity and durability—allowing light to pass through each layer and bring the artwork to life.
What is Photo Encaustic?
Photo encaustic blends photography with molten beeswax, pigments, texture, and a healthy dose of experimentation and play.
Photographs can be incorporated into the process in several ways:
- Mounting a photographic print to a substrate and building layers of wax and pigment on top
- Embedding an image printed on tissue paper or other fine papers into layers of wax
- Transferring the inks from a photograph directly into the wax itself
Each approach uses different techniques, but they all share the same result: the beeswax penetrates the image allowing light to move through the layers, and the photograph transforms into something tactile, luminous, and deeply engaging.
It’s part photography.
Part painting.
Part alchemy.
And yes—it feels a little magical.
Ready to learn more?
If you’re curious about photo encaustic and want to experience the process for yourself, the best place to begin is with one of my introductory online courses. I’ll walk you step-by-step through the materials, techniques, and creative possibilities—no prior encaustic experience required.
Get to know your instructor, Clare O’Neill.
I’m a photographer and artist and I help artists all over the world turn their photographs into one-of-a-kind images that they love.
I was fascinated with encaustic the first time I saw an encaustic painting and immediately wanted to incorporate my photographs with this ancient wax-based medium. I knew nothing of the medium, the process, or if it would work with photographs. I just knew I had to give it a try.
I experimented with mounting images to my substrate, printing on tissue paper and photo transfers. I found the magic of the tissue paper process gives me the most depth, texture and visual interest.
My work is created by making slowly building up the surface with multiple layers—using bold brush strokes and playful drips to create backgrounds full of gesture, spontaneity, and motion. My work is large, so the photographs are printed on tissue paper in multiple pieces, and then carefully embedded into the layers of hot beeswax.
I’ve spent the last 15 years teaching photo encaustic (both online and in-person), showing and selling my work.
I believe wholeheartedly that learning artistic techniques is like learning to drive a manual transmission car. You need to master the nuance of using a clutch and shifting and this no doubt takes some practice. But once it becomes second nature, getting on the open road is what is exciting, reinvigorating, and magical.
I’m most proud of teaching my students to go beyond the techniques, to hone their vision, make meaningful images, find their own artistic voice, and understand ‘why’ they are creating the work they create.
Curious about Clare’s work? You can take a look at www.ClareONeill.com
