R&F Encaustic Paint Starter Kit — 14-Piece Set with Museum-Grade Beeswax Cakes & Encausticbords

R&F Handmade Paints Professional Encaustic Starter Kit is a complete 14-piece set that gives artists everything needed to begin encaustic painting (heat source not included).

This starter kit gathers R&F’s museum-grade encaustic cakes, Ampersand Encausticbord supports, mediums and basic tools so you can start exploring wax-based painting without hunting for individual components. R&F encaustic paint is handmade in small batches from 100% pharmaceutical-grade beeswax, damar resin and high-pigment loads; the result is a durable, reworkable paint that cools quickly to a stable finish yet can be reactivated with heat. The kit is thoughtfully assembled to introduce layering, polishing and mixed-technique encaustic work.

What comes in the 14-piece starter kit?

The set includes five 40 ml encaustic cakes in primary and mixing colours, three Ampersand Encausticbords in common practice sizes, basic mediums, and simple application tools. It covers the essentials to melt, apply, fuse and clean up encaustic paint at the beginning level.

• 5 × 40 ml encaustic cakes: Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow Light, Quinacridone Red, Ultramarine Blue, Cadmium Green Pale
• 2 × 5×7" flat Encausticbords and 1 × 8×10" cradled Encausticbord
• Encaustic medium, soy wax for cleanup, 2 palette cups and 2 brushes
• R&F Colour Chart and Basic Encaustic Manual for reference

How does R&F encaustic paint behave during layering and reworking?

R&F encaustic paint shifts from molten to solid in seconds, enabling quick layering without long drying times. Once cooled, the surface is stable, but applying heat lets you fuse new layers or revise work later, offering both permanence and flexibility.

• Melts on a heated palette and fuses to absorbent boards
• Cool-to-touch finish becomes stable in seconds
• Reactivates with heat for scraping, polishing or adding layers
• Can be polished to high gloss or textured for matte effects

What materials and safety characteristics should you know?

These encaustic paints are solvent-free, made from pure beeswax and damar resin with heavy pigment loads. Beeswax offers moisture resistance and long-term stability; no varnish or glass protection is required for finished pieces under normal display conditions.

• 100% pharmaceutical-grade beeswax and damar resin binder
• High pigment concentration for strong colour and coverage
• Solvent-free formulation; follow recommended ventilation and heat safety practices
• Handmade in small batches in Kingston, New York, USA

How do I use the included boards, brushes and mediums to start a project?

The Ampersand Encausticbords provide an absorbent, stable surface ideal for fusing molten wax. Brushes and palette cups let you control application, while the encaustic medium adjusts flow and working time; soy wax aids cleanup. The manual and colour chart guide basic mixing, fusing and finishing techniques.

• Heat paint cakes on a low-temperature palette or griddle before applying
• Apply thin layers to Encausticbord and fuse each layer with a heat tool
• Use encaustic medium to thin or modify body; soy wax cleans tools
• Refer to the manual for basic safety and step-by-step fusion tips

Who is this for? The R&F Handmade Paints Professional Encaustic Starter Kit is ideal for painters, mixed-media artists, and educators wanting a reliable introduction to encaustic techniques. It suits beginners who want a ready-to-use collection of professional materials and experienced encaustic artists seeking consistent, high-pigment paints and archival-quality wax for studio practice.