In just the last few weeks I’ve had three different artists contact me to discuss naturally dyed beeswax and non-toxic pigments. Honestly I don’t have any experience with these materials, but I’m very interested! After a little research we came up with several resources that might be of interest. I’ll list the below for you to check out.
If you have tried using any of these in encaustic paintings or know of other resources please leave a comment here so we can start a discussion. I think this will be a popular subject, and we can certainly save some time by sharing our knowledge.
Willow Tree Toys
Artemis Plant Dyed Beeswax
These high beeswax sheets include soft tints of primary and secondary colors. Colors include green, transparent, pink, brown, yellow, carmine, orange, dark blue. These beautiful beeswax sheets have been colored by natural plant extract from buckthorn berries, madder root, indigo plant, weld leaves, lac-dye, coreopsis flowers, and catechu acacia. Imported from Denmark. This product is also available at EcoChoices.
Stockmar Crayons
Stockmar crayons are made of non-toxic and sweet smelling beeswax. Long lasting and brilliant in color, they are a favorite for parents, children and schools. This combination set combines the best of Stockmar crayons – 8 stick crayons and 8 coloring blocks contained in a sturdy tin. Stockmar wax crayons meet the highest artistic standards. Through the addition of pure beeswax as a binding agent, the light-resistant pigments display their purity and full brilliance. Because they are mixed with wax, the colors are able to be used in a wide range of interesting coloring techniques – more than any other coloring material. The natural transparency of the wax and the lack of additives result in a high degree of opacity like that of watercolors. Set include one stick crayon and one block crayon in each of the following colors: 01 carmine red, 03 orange, 05 lemon yellow, 07 green, 09 blue, 11 blue violet, 13 red brown, 15 black.
Earth Pigments
Non-toxic Pigments
All of our pigments are environmentally safe, non-toxic and easy to use. Compatible with all mediums, these colors are permanent providing a strong depth of color. All of our pigments are ground to 50 microns for ease of mixing. They contain no chromium, cadmium, mercury, tin, arsenic, radium, lead or other hazardous materials.
What have been your experiences with these products? Please share your knowledge here.
Embracing Mixed Media 
7 comments
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April 15, 2008 at 6:13 am
Laura Tyler
Great info, Linda. Thank you!
Laura
April 15, 2008 at 6:23 am
Laura Tyler, artist / filmmaker
[…] Womack has compiled a list of naturally dyed an non-toxic beeswax products on her “Embracing Encaustic” blog. SO worth checking out. Thank you, […]
March 22, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Jaime Lyerly
I know this is a year old post, but I wanted to make a note about my experience with the Earth Pigments. I just got them a few days ago, and I was experimenting with mixing them into my wax. Seriously a little tiny bit goes a long way. Their earth pigment set is only $30 and I think I will be using these for a long time.
August 24, 2011 at 6:39 pm
Jim Fogarty
I have hear the some furniture refinishers use pigmented beeswax to make furniture have a rugged look. How to you pigment beeswax and do you know how the apply the beeswax to make furniture look rugged?
August 25, 2011 at 11:43 am
Linda Womack
We pigment beeswax for encaustic with dry pigments from any good art store, but I don’t know how that would hold up on furniture. You’ll have to ask an expert in that field. good luck! Linda
August 25, 2011 at 4:52 pm
Jim Fogarty
Appreciate the info. The furniture makers who use this technique are keeping this a well-kept secret! Thanks
November 13, 2011 at 4:24 am
Guest
I know its been a while but here’s a useful link for anyone else stumbling across this site/question!
http://www.earthpigments.com/finishes/pigmented-waxes.cfm