How to Make Stamps with Encaustic Wax

Encaustic wax paintings are composed of colored wax. You melt the wax and apply it to different types of media using a hot metal wire brush and stamps. Here is how to make your own stamps to use for your next encaustic wax painting project.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Carving tool
• Carving block
• Pencil
• Paper
• Transfer paper
• Clothes iron

1. Get a carving tool. To make stamps with encaustic wax, you need a metal stylus or carving tool. Art supply stores specializing in encaustic wax supplies have these items.

2. Buy a carving block. Carving blocks are soft rubber, making it very easy to carve out your stamp design.

3. Draw your design. If you are planning to carve an intricate picture, you need to draw it on paper first to ensure that the entire picture and all of its detail will fit on the carving block.

4. Copy your final design onto transfer paper, available at your local arts and crafts store.

5. Transfer the design to the carving block. Place the paper design side down, then, using a hot iron, heat the paper in order to transfer the design.

6. Begin carving out the design. Using your carving tool, slowly begin cutting out the design.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice carving first. Before you begin your final design, practice on a scrap piece of carving block to become familiar with using encaustic wax carving tools.
• Never leave the iron on the transfer paper for too long as it will burn the paper. Instead, be sure to move the iron around often.

Resources

• Buy encaustic wax supplies at encaustic.com.
• Find encaustic wax painting tips at artisticu.com.