Pat O'Neill - Upcoming Contemporary Artist

Palm Tree Cove - Encaustic


Cascade in Waters - Encaustic Art


Into The Inferno - Aceo


Fantasy Fortress


Windswept Flower


Mandala 1


An English Field


Bamboo, Green


A Tori - An Original Encaustic


Pastel Pansies - An Original Encaustic Painting


Fairies Darting - Encaustic Aceo




Pat O'Neill - Propagating The Art of Encaustic


Country - United Kingdom

Personal Profile - I love encaustic art or "playing" and painting with wax. This medium has a history that dates back some 2000 years although it is enjoying renewed popularity due to modern technology which allows the artist to use hot electrical tools to manipulate the molten wax. I have a book entitled My Encaustics- Art in the Wax which is available from http://blurb.com/user/store/onawhimsey. I also have a couple of soft back copies available in my Etsy shop http://onawhimsey.etsy.com

Gallery - Art on Fire

Other Blogs of Pat O'Neill

1. On A Whimsey
2. On A Whimsey - An Encaustic Adventure
3. Pat's Encaustic- Art In The Wax

Encaustic art?

What is it?

The name encaustic comes from the Greek for ” burnt in ” …..

It is claimed that the art of encaustic wax painting is at least over 2000 years old and that it was practised by the Ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians. Since it has lasted, in some cases, over 2000 years it is considered a very durable form of Art. Around the world there are examples of portraits which have been painted on wood.

Examples of encaustic tomb portraits from Roman Egypt bear witness to the durability of the medium, which is thought to have been widely used in ancient times. Pliny describes the process in which hot liquid colors were applied to the wall by means of heated irons. It is believed that the waxes used to be heated in containers over a charcoal fire until molten and then applied to the wood with brushes or perhaps heated spatulas.

Nowadays, artists have the use of modern technology and thus are able to produce beautiful works of art with electric tools.

True encaustic painting is produced through a process in which the coloured wax is permanently ‘burned’ into an absorbant backing such as plaster, canvas or some woods. However, today, the technique of laying wax on a non absorbant support is generally regarded as encaustic art.

The amazing attribute of using the molten wax is that whenever the hot implement such as an iron touches it, the wax will melt and thus can be re-worked. So, you can alter the image until you are satisfied.

The waxes can be of many types. However, they are usually specially formulated to provide art quality colours in a safe non toxi form which is designed to be used when melted. This wax melts at 40 degrees Fahrenheit ot just over 60 degrees Centigrade. The most popular for the beginner is wax made into manageable blocks or sticks. Otherwise, wax can be melted, different pigments added according to requirements etc.

The main tool is the painting or encaustic iron. The base plate is used to smooth and texture the wax whilst the edge can be scraped or made to slide through the medium. Again, the tip of the iron can be used to draw in details. Encaustic art painting card is specially impregnated and enables the wax to slide around the surface without allowing too much absorbtion. The card resists heat damage and is tough and flexible.

Other tools can include an encaustic art stylus, scribing tools, hot air guns. Whatever comes to hand.

Other supports can be used creating different effects such as wood, fabric, plastic or metal.

It is an exciting medium which is not difficult master has limitless boundaries. Only the imagination can stop you!

Quoted From The Blog of Pat O'Neill

Critique

I must admit that this is the first time I heard of Encaustic art and I am very excited about it. It is a revolutionary way of artistic endeavor using molten wax to paint your desired subject. Although this has been used for over 2,000 years now, it is now widely propagated by Ms. Pat O'Neill with outstanding results. Her works are simply fantastic and have the quality and flair of works by the masters. It is to her genius that she can get carried away in molding the desired patterns and forms in her masterworks. The Aceo cards are also very recent forms of art that were used before in cigarette packs and baseball cards. All art connoisseur should take advantage of the very cheap prices of these artworks before they become widely accepted and their prices will rocket to sky high.

Tags: Upcoming Contemporary Artist, Pat O'Neill, Encaustic Art, Molten Wax, Aceo, Ancient Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Burn Out, Encaustic Iron, Art, Paintings, Masterworks, United Kingdom, Art Connoisseur, Artworks, Etsy

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Philippines

Art Review/Feature