Encaustic painting is a type of media which involves using heated beeswax to which coloured pigments are added. Sometimes the pigments mixed into the beeswax are made of powder and sometimes oil paints or sticks. The wax (coloured or uncoloured, depending upon the piece) is then layered onto a hard surface (in this case, wood), and up to a hundred layers of wax may be applied to one piece until Andrew feels satisfied that his work is completed. The wax is manipulated using different heating tools, in Andrew's case a heat gun, and instruments to shape the wax before it cools.