Art of Encaustic Painting, The

Encaustic painting using pigmented wax, heated for adhesion was used extensively in the ancient world and is now enjoying contemporary attention. Mattera, a painter herself, presents a thorough treatment of what various artists are doing with it these days, as well as instruction in how to do it materials, techniques, and how to prepare and exhibit encaustic work. The wide variety of approaches, techniques, and subject matter of the paintings, shown in full-page color reproductions, will inspire novices and seasoned encaustic painters alike. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Encaustic is a waxed-based painting medium characterized by luminous color and a lush surface. It's an ancient art, dating as far back as Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire, and today is enjoying a revival.Here is the first comprehensive guide available on mastering this beautiful yet demanding medium. InThe Art of Encaustic Painting, readers will learn surefire ways to achieve vibrant color and create surfaces that look as light as a wash or as densely textured as impasto. They will see how to produce effects from abstract to figurative to minimal. Finally, they will discover dozens of clear, step-by-step directions detailing how to use these various encaustic techniques in their own art.This remarkable reference also includes 200 attractive full-color photographs of the author's own work, as well as stunning examples by such premier encaustic artists as Jasper Johns, Arthur Dove, and Nancy Graves.