Encaustic painting is best described as pigments mixed with which medium?

Encaustic painting is best described as pigments mixed with which medium?

• A. Oil.
• B. Wax.
• C. Acrylic.
• D. Watercolor.

Answer: (B)

Encaustic painting uses wax as the binding medium. The pigments are mixed into hot beeswax, often with damar resin to harden and add gloss, and then applied to a surface while the wax stays melted. Heat is used to fuse each layer, building up a durable, luminous film. This technique comes from ancient practices and is defined by the wax binder rather than oils, acrylic polymers, or water-based gums. Oil paints rely on drying oil; acrylics use a synthetic polymer; watercolors use water and a gum binder. The wax gives a unique depth and texture, allowing multiple translucent layers to be fused into a cohesive surface.

Encaustic painting uses wax as the binding medium. The pigments are mixed into hot beeswax, often with damar resin to harden and add gloss, and then applied to a surface while the wax stays melted. Heat is used to fuse each layer, building up a durable, luminous film. This technique comes from ancient practices and is defined by the wax binder rather than oils, acrylic polymers, or water-based gums. Oil paints rely on drying oil; acrylics use a synthetic polymer; watercolors use water and a gum binder. The wax gives a unique depth and texture, allowing multiple translucent layers to be fused into a cohesive surface.