An Apology

This is such a huge topic, such a big page, that some time iwas needed to face the work involved in making a worthy reference here. Some topics are sketched in and some have links to other parts of this site that deal primarily with the Encaustic Art range of products.

.. unfortunately, this area of the site is now archived and I never did find the time to do all that could be here.

Up to Index - below is some old information on supports...

Card
...with a sealed surface makes an ideal support for encaustic art waxes and any other encaustic wax medium that you require to be easily re-workable.. The trick is in the wax adhering to the surface without saturating or dirtying the body of the card. This type of card surface is ideal for experimental and "process" based working but, because of it's flexibility, is not well suited to thick applications of wax unless it is fixed securely to a rigid under board with a permanent glue or similar. Thick wax becomes far less flexible than a thin coating and can easily crack if bent too sharply.

White card gives a good reflectivity for the light that penetrates the translucent wax colours. Coloured card can also provide an interesting and effective support for encaustic work. A gloss surface is ideal for artwork where the process of working colours with heated tools offers a constantly present opportunity to change the forms of the colour and re-work the waxes into new patterns, images, etc. Most coloured card is single faced and so after being work it is best to fix it with a suitable glue to a more rigid under-board (display board or masonite / MDF are all good.
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MDF & Plywood
Medium Density Fibre-board is a man-made composite constructed from wood particles glued together under compression to form a flat and stable sheet. It is normally available up to 8' x 4' but many DIY stores have 4' x 2' pieces in a variety of thicknesses. The value of this as a support for encaustic is that it offers a rigid and stable surface for working onto and allows much thicker applications and build-up of waxes than a flexible support can hold.

You can paint the wax straight onto the MDF surface if you wish, but the wax is easily absorbed and saturating the surface can consume a lot of wax and time. Better perhaps to seal the surface of the MDF with a solution of white wood glue and water. The glue is available in most DIY store and can also be used as an additive for strengthening and water-proofing cement. Mix about 30% glue with 70% water and give one coat of this to the MDF (or plywood). In fact this sealer will work on almost any absorbent surface. Allow it to dry then work with your waxes. Alternatively you could apply an acrylic - clear, white or coloured - or perhaps a gesso.

There are numerous working methods for applying the wax, ranging from the use of molten wax and cold natural hair brushes through to the use of electric paint stripper hot air guns, heat lamps and hand held heating wands. We'll add more when time allows and someone nudges us for more information on this!
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Line Board

Line board is a smooth high quality paper facing bonded during manufacture to a rigid cardboard backing which is usually about 3 to 4mm thick. It is used primarily in presentation of high quality technical drawings such as an architect might produce. It is normally available in A1 and A2 sizes. This type of support material is very good for encaustic work where there may be some thicker wax build-up that would be unsuitable for the thinner sealed card. Of course, you can stick the regular sealed card onto a backing board and produce a surface very much like line board yourself.

This material is rigid but lighter than MDF or plywood. Wax colour can be applied directly to the line board surface in numerous working manners and will perform very well for the majority of uses.
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Fabrics

But which fabric should you use? Well, Just about any will work but the factors to consider are: