Methods And Tools For Fusing
For the paint to be thoroughly fused, it needs only to reach a molten
state. Proper fusing can be easily determined with practice.
When fusing the paint, the different colors will melt at different
rates because of the varying chemical compositions of the pigments and the greater
absorption of heat by darker colors. This may require a certain order for the
painting-and-fusing of each color, depending on one's technique.
Heating from the front
Fusing can be done directly on the paint with electric spatulas and
irons. The paint can be both modeled and fused in this manner. Indirect heating can be
done with an infrared warming lamp and reflector screwed into a light clamp with a
Bakelite or porcelain socket. Held a few inches from the picture, it gives a slower but
more even fusing, good for blending colors and for a very uniform enamel finish.
Greatly improved hot air guns have recently appeared on the market, and
they are a safer, more versatile alternative to the propane torch. These hot air guns are
light weight and have two fan speeds and several temperature settings. Pinpoint and
fan-spread nozzles can be purchased for some brands. A high fan speed can be used to push
the molten paint around, while the lower fan speed will hardly move the paint at all.
A propane torch is a fusing tool that should be used with great care (a small jeweler's
torch is adequate). The torch can be used for quick working and spot fusing of small
areas. Safety precautions with this tool cannot be overemphasized. Keep area fee of rags,
debris, and solvents. Keep a fire extinguisher handy. As with any high temperature heater,
care must be taken not to heat the wax much over its melting temperature. The open flame
from a torch will cause a flare-up when used on encaustic to which distilled turpentine,
venice turpentine, or damar varnish has been added. The flare-up is brief and easily
controlled. but the artist should be cautious.
Heating from the rear
Another method, one that may have also been used by the Greek painters,
is to place a very low heat source behind the panel or canvas. This will keep the paint
fluid the entire time it is being worked on and, of course, will require very little, if
any, fusing from the top. A set up of incandescent bulbs or a hot palette are a number of
possibilities that can be used for this purpose.