Summer, 1978, Nils   # 26.  Encaustic on collage after a photograph from National Geographic Magazine September 1977.  5 1/4" x 9 1/4" ( 13.5 cm x 23.5 cm)

Probably the best known and loved examples of encaustic painting come from  mummy portraits that can be seen in the Egyptian section of most major museums.  The technique costists essentially of mixing together dry pigment with melted wax and resin.  The pallette in this case is usually a hot steel plate on which the pigment is mixed together with the melted resin/wax.  The paint usually dries immediately upon contact with the panel.  Thus strokes need to be quick and sure.  It can render a thick impasto surface that is highly durable.