Although made from wax, Ceracolors are not encaustic paints in that they do not require heat, solvents or mediums.
 
Ceracolors is water-soluble beeswax-based paint for professional artists providing a wide range of painting techniques from acrylic and gouache-like layers to thin watercolour-like washes. They are fast-drying colours suitable for all supports used for encaustic painting, yet they do not require any special tools and heated instruments. Use any brush suitable for water-based paint. Once dry Ceracolors can be used in the encaustic technique, allowing sculpting and manipulation of the paint. The ingredients in Ceracolors are found in food and cosmetics so they are not considered to be toxic.
 
Drying
Ceracolors dry in two stages. First, the paint dries rapidly due to the evaporation of water, so it is touch dry within a short time. After this initial period, the paint can be reopened with a wet brush. During the second stage, wax crystals coalesce as the paint cures. This can take from one to several days for thicker applications of paint.
 
Water Solubility
Ceracolors are thinned with water. The paint comes out of the tube as a paste and can be diluted to the consistency of watercolours. The water solubility of Ceracolors allows easy handling and cleaning.
 
Colour and Appearance
Ceracolors are available in a wide range of colours that are used by artists in other professional-quality mediums. Ceracolors are formulated for high tinting strength and the optical qualities of wax provide outstanding chroma.
 
Heat Setting
Uncured paint has limited wet scrub resistance, especially in thick layers. This resistance increases when the paint is set by heat. Moderate heat can be applied by a heat gun or hairdryer.
 
Toxicity
Ceracolors are composed of ingredients that are not considered toxic—ingredients that are often found in food and cosmetics. There are no hazardous solvents or additives and it does not require heating that can release potentially toxic fumes.
 
Supports
Rigid supports, such as wood, are best for wax painting techniques, but flexible supports, such as canvas and paper can also be used. Ceracolors can be applied to other materials, such as ceramics, glass, metal or plastic.
 
Hardness
Ceracolors are made with a blend of waxes microemulsified in water. Wax is soft with low scratch resistance so works require care when handling and storing.
 
Durability
Water-soluble wax paint is durable, as attested by the present state of preservation of Roman and Roman-Egyptian paintings of the first century in many museums throughout the world.
 
Clean Up
Cleaning brushes and equipment is easy with soap and water. Cured Ceracolors paint can be removed with ammonia water.
See Ceracolors at NAMTA's Art Materials World 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the Natural Pigments/Artefex booth 531. A special introductory offer will be available to retailers only at the show.
Ceracolors paints and mediums will be available from NaturalPigments.com and fine art supplies retailers after June 1, 2014.