Hot wax paintings (Encaustics) have been dated to as early as the fourth century B.C.  Although wax may appear to be a fragile material, some encaustic paintings from A.D 100-125 survive today in the form of head and shoulder wax portraits set into mummy casings in Greco-Roman Egypt. 
(SS.Sergius and Bacchus, 6-7 c, Kiev museum)

To prepare the wax medium, a combination of clarified white and yellow beeswax is melted with tree resin, a hardening and stabilizing agent. The wax is then filtered and cooled.

To begin working on a piece, the image is printed on fine art paper and affixed to the wood panel with acid free adhesive.

The wax mixture is melted in a large container and small amounts of pigment and wax are added to tins on a hot plate, keeping the mixture at liquid temperatures for painting.

The translucent wax is either poured or brushed onto the image, which lies horizontal so that the melted wax doesn't run. The wax is reheated with a heat gun, bonding the image to the wood panel.  Layers of wax  are built up and fused until the desired translucency is achieved. A sculpture tool is used to scrape off some of the wax in order to add effect or even texture.

 The colored wax or oil paints are then brushed on delicately, fused, sculpted and layered.  This layering lends an ethereal quality that is part of the appeal of an encaustic painting. Some images have six or more layers of wax including colors; others are simply complimented by the depth of the wax and seem complete as they are.

A final sealing layer of wax is applied and once again fused.  Over the next week the piece is textured and buffed to a gentle glow.

Encaustics are solid and durable, and when handled with care are destined to become family heirlooms.  Because of the resin in the wax, they can withstand temperatures from 35 to 125 degrees.  Lucidography  portraits should always be handled as fine art: although very stable they can still be scratched or damaged so handle carefully and please do not hang in direct sunshine.

Some times within the first six to twelve months a slight white discoloration might occur called "bloom" which can be removed easily by buffing with a soft cloth.  Occasional dusting with a soft cloth is also a good idea.