Encaustics is a process and labor intensive art form. The medium is made by combining melted beeswax with a special tree sap (damar resin) which acts as a hardener. The medium is then pigmented to get the desired colors. The painting is created by laying down layer after layer of this pigmented, melted medium. Each thin layer must be fused with heat before the next layer can be added or the painting will flake away. Though a heat gun can be used for fusing work, I usually use a propane torch as I feel it gives me much more control as I'm working so these paintings are literally painted with fire. But with work, the nature of the wax itself and the efforts to layer give a depth and quality quite unlike any other artistic medium. Fully intact and vibrant encaustic paintings have been found dating back to Egyptian times so a finished piece is a durable and lasting piece of art.