{"product_id":"r-f-encaustic-beeswax-paint-mars-black-40ml-deep-opaque-black-smooth-melting-for-encaustic-mixed-media","title":"R\u0026F Encaustic Beeswax Paint Mars Black 40ml — Deep Opaque Black, Smooth Melting for Encaustic \u0026 Mixed Media","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eR\u0026amp;F Encaustic 40ml Mars Black is a ready-to-use, museum-quality beeswax paint cake that delivers a deep, opaque black in encaustic and mixed-media work.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHandmade in the USA using pharmaceutical-grade beeswax, damar resin, and a heavy pigment load, this compact 40ml cake offers artists a reliable, archival black that melts smoothly for layering, carving, and texture. Designed for encaustic techniques, the formula comes prepared for immediate use on heated palettes or encaustic boards. Because it combines high-quality raw materials with careful milling, the result is a stable, richly pigmented paint that supports both traditional encaustic practice and experimental mixed-media applications.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow does Mars Black behave when heated for encaustic layers?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen warmed, this beeswax-based Mars Black becomes fluid and blends easily with other encaustic colours while retaining a strong, opaque coverage. It re-hardens quickly on cooling, allowing for repeatable layering and sculptural effects without losing pigment intensity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMelts smoothly at encaustic temperatures — use a heated palette or iron.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDries to a stable, matte-to-satin surface that can be fused with a heat gun.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMaintains deep opacity for underpainting or final glazing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat safety and handling steps should artists follow?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis encaustic cake is safe for studio use when basic ventilation and temperature control are observed. Avoid overheating above 200°F, work in a ventilated space, and do not use solvents, as the paint is designed to perform without them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eKeep temperature below 200°F to protect wax and pigments.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eProvide good ventilation or a small exhaust fan when fusing or heating.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAvoid solvents — use encaustic mediums or modelling wax for modifications.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow can Mars Black be combined with other encaustic materials?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMars Black mixes well with R\u0026amp;F’s other encaustic cakes, mediums, and impasto modelling wax, enabling a broad range of textures, tonal shifts, and surface manipulations. Because of its strong pigment concentration, a little goes a long way when tinting or shading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eBlend on a heated palette for smooth gradients and soft transitions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eLayer over or under lighter colours for contrast and depth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMix with modelling wax for thicker sculptural passages or impasto.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy choose the 40ml cake size for your studio practice?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 40ml format is economical and portable, ideal for artists who want to expand a palette without committing to larger volumes. It’s well suited for studies, small panels, plein-air encaustic, or travel kits, while still providing the same handcrafted quality as the larger cakes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCompact, affordable option to build colour variety.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eEasy to melt and control on a small heated surface.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ePerfect for experimentation, classes, and limited-space studios.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWho is this for: Professional and emerging artists working in encaustic and mixed media who need a dependable, intensely pigmented Mars Black for layering, carving, and surface effects. It’s also a good choice for teachers, students, and hobbyists who want a high-quality, ready-to-use encaustic cake in a convenient 40ml size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct features:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMade from 100% pharmaceutical-grade beeswax and damar resin.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eOne 40ml cake of Mars Black encaustic paint — heavy pigment load.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDo not heat above 200°F; use with adequate ventilation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAvoid solvents — formulated for solvent-free encaustic techniques.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eHandmade in the USA by R\u0026amp;F.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003csection class=\"product-faq-snippet\"\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"faq-item\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"faq-q\"\u003eQ: Can I mix R\u0026amp;F Mars Black with solvents?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"faq-a\"\u003eA: No. Do not use solvents; R\u0026amp;F encaustics are formulated to work solvent-free with wax and damar resin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"faq-item\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"faq-q\"\u003eQ: What temperature is safe for melting this encaustic cake?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"faq-a\"\u003eA: Keep heating below 200°F and use good ventilation to protect the wax and pigment integrity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e","brand":"R\u0026F","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55249577410897,"sku":"B003IX56OQ","price":29.86,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1086\/5567\/3681\/files\/r-f-encaustic-mars-black-front-packaging.jpg?v=1791636734","url":"https:\/\/craftiche.co.uk\/products\/r-f-encaustic-beeswax-paint-mars-black-40ml-deep-opaque-black-smooth-melting-for-encaustic-mixed-media","provider":"Craftiche","version":"1.0","type":"link"}