Damar resin is sap released from trees, much like rubber or maple syrup. Commonly used in vanishes and also to temper encaustic paint. To temper beeswax add an average of 1 part to 8 parts damar; do not over temper, no more than 1 part to 4 parts. Over tempering will cause the encaustic to be brittle and it will flake or chip away. It is possible to substitute a percentage of a harder wax, candelilla or carnauba, no more than 5%. However, damar melts at 225º a higher temperature than candelilla which melts between 155º and 162º or carnauba between 180º and 187º, thus raising the melting point of the encaustic paint. Atmospheric conditions and even elevation can create variations in temperatures. For more information on making encaustic paint, click to read,
How to Make Encaustic Paint and Medium. For more on temperatures, including flash points of commonly used waxes in encaustic read,
Temperatures (Melting and Flash Point).
