SIZE: These Wax Blocks
are approximately:
* 11mm x 24mm x 42mm weighing 10 to 12 grams
* 1 5/8"x7/16"x15/16" weighing just under 1/2 oz. |
Our interest lies in how wax changes from a solid to a liquid and
how it behaves whilst it is in both of these completely different states.
Encaustic Art Wax Blocks are produced to a carefully developed formula
with concern for a high sense of quality and safety.
Any particular encaustic paint mixture will have in its own unique behaviour
and working manner depending on the waxes chosen, type of pigments used,
inclusion of other materials (e.g. resins) and of course the overall quality
of ingredients.
Beeswax - is a natural product containing many ingredients derived
from the locality of its origin. Pollens and oils affect the odour, colour
and nature of the wax, but generally speaking beeswax melts at about 62ºC
(144ºF). It is the basis of all the Ancient's encaustic paints and
some definitions require its inclusion for a mixture to be a true encaustic
medium.
Paraffin Wax - has a cloudy transparent colouring, is manmade and
derived from oil. It is cheap but has a lower melting point of around
55ºC (131ºF)
Carnauba wax - is derived from plant leaves and is a hard brittle
golden or greyish coloured wax with a melting point of around 80ºC.
It buffs to a high polish.
Micro Crystalline waxes - hard and soft - are used to change the
nature of the wax to make it behave in a harder and more brittle or softer
and more pliable manner.
Pigments - could be described as the right coloured dirt (dyes
are not pigments). This dirt is ground into fine powder then mixed
with the wax medium. The colour (hue) of the pigment may be very stable
and durable over a period of time and is then considered lightfast or
permanent. Some pigments are less constant and will fade through time.
The blue wool scale runs from 0 to 8 and rates worst fade as 0 and best
permanence as 8. It is a measurement of the amount of fade caused by exposure
to sunlight over a 3 month period.
The Encaustic Art Wax Blocks are made with pigments that are rated
No.8 on the blue wool scale  .
However, where pastel colours are formed and a lot of white is used in
the mix the colour fastness could be lessened and some fading of hue may
occur over time. All the pigments are chosen to comply with European and
USA safety standards and far exceed all legal requirements. In Europe
they bear the CE mark whilst in the USA the waxes carry the CL label
which indicates safety in the material but caution in its use - careless
use of hot implements can cause skin burns!
Encaustic Art Wax Blocks polish when cool, to a pleasing sheen.
No coatings or varnish are necessary but there is a wax sealer available
to add a protective acrylic layer to the surface is desired. This is useful
for situations where abrasion of the surface might occur - e.g. greetings
cards. Ideally the wax artwork can be displayed open to the air but only
where it will not be touched. In other situations it is better to glaze
the framed artwork with a space between the wax colours and the glass.
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