Leo Martínez
Wax has been used in art for centuries, with the ancient Egyptians using it for funerary portraits. Today, it is often used as a protective coating for paintings, sculptures, antiques, and more. When used as an additive, it can create a matte finish or reduce the gloss of a varnish. In painting, encaustic wax is a popular medium that can be polished to a high gloss, carved, scraped, layered, collaged, and more. It can be used with a variety of other media, including oil, watercolour, and acrylics, as well as other materials such as leaves, paper, and photographs.
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What You'll Learn
Using wax as a protective coating
Wax has been used for over 2000 years as a paint medium, surface coating, and sculpture material. It is a versatile medium that can be polished to a high gloss, carved, scraped, layered, collaged, dipped, cast, modelled, sculpted, textured, and combined with oil.
Since the 1930s, wax formulations have been used as protective coatings for paintings that cannot be varnished with solvent solutions. They protect the painting from dust and dirt, and can be easily removed with mild solvents. Wax is often rubbed or wiped onto the painting surface as a very thin layer. It is resistant to acids, does not oxidise, and does not turn yellow or lose body.
Wax is also used as a coating on top of resin varnish to reduce the gloss of the surface and protect the varnish from dirt. It can be applied with a finger or cloth to matte down overly glossy areas of a varnished painting. Conservar Wax, a soft paste of microcrystalline wax and aldehyde resin in mineral spirits, is commonly used for this purpose. It protects surfaces by sealing out dirt, air, and moisture, and improves the luminosity and clarity of colours. It can be buffed to a gloss finish and thinned with turpentine or mineral spirits.
Wax coatings scratch and mar easily, and due to their relative softness at high temperatures, they may retain dirt. They are also soft compared to resin films, so they are easily abraded and can produce a hazy surface when built up in thicker layers.
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Applying paint over wax
Wax is a versatile medium that can be used in a variety of ways to create unique and beautiful artworks. It can be used as a protective coating, a medium for painting, and even as an additive to create different textures and finishes. While it is possible to apply paint over wax, it is important to follow certain steps to ensure successful results.
Preparing the Surface:
Before applying paint over wax, it is crucial to prepare the surface properly. Start by ensuring that the waxed surface is clean and free of any dirt, grime, or residue. A soft-haired brush or a soft, lint-free cloth can be used for gentle cleaning. If the surface is particularly dirty, it may be necessary to consult specialised methods for cleaning painted surfaces. It is also important to consider the type of wax used. For example, antique wax or dark wax may require additional steps for removal or softening if the goal is to achieve a lighter colour palette for the final paint layer.
Light Sanding:
To enhance paint adhesion, it is recommended to lightly sand the waxed surface. This creates a slightly rough texture, often referred to as a "tooth," which provides a better grip for the new layer of paint. However, it is important to exercise caution during this step to avoid over-sanding, which can damage the underlying surface.
Priming and Sealing:
In some cases, priming the waxed surface before painting can improve the adhesion of the new paint layer. Primers, such as BOSS primer, can be applied in multiple thin coats to create a smooth base for the paint. Additionally, sealing the wax with a product like shellac can also help isolate the wax and provide a better surface for the paint to adhere to.
Choosing the Right Paint:
Not all paints are equally suitable for application over wax. Milk paint, chalk paint, and mineral paint are often mentioned as suitable options for painting over wax. It is recommended to opt for quality paints to ensure better results and minimise the risk of paint chipping or peeling. Additionally, when working with wax, it is important to consider the desired finish. For a matte or low-sheen finish, microcrystalline waxes are often preferred. Harder waxes, such as carnauba wax, tend to produce a glossier sheen that can be further enhanced by buffing.
Applying Paint:
When applying paint over wax, it is essential to use the appropriate tools and techniques. Brushes with soft bristles or lint-free cloths are recommended to avoid leaving unwanted fibres on the surface. It is also crucial to work in thin layers, allowing adequate drying or curing time between coats. This helps prevent the buildup of excess paint, which can lead to a hazy or uneven finish.
Experimentation and Creativity:
Painting over wax allows for creativity and experimentation. Encaustic wax, for instance, can be used to create vibrant and translucent images, as well as hazy effects. The versatility of wax also extends to mixed-media explorations, where collage, photo transfers, oil colours, dry pastels, charcoal, and even embedded objects can be incorporated into the wax layers. Additionally, techniques like shellac burn can be employed to create intricate, organic patterns by igniting a thin layer of pigmented shellac over the wax.
In conclusion, applying paint over wax requires careful preparation, the right choice of materials, and a willingness to experiment. While there may be challenges and unexpected results, the unique qualities of wax offer artists and enthusiasts a range of creative possibilities to explore and enjoy.
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![Clear Finishing Wax – Protective Topcoat for Chalk Style Furniture Paint, Raw or Stained Wood, Odor-Free, 500ml [Jolie]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31zxwI7wLEL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Encaustic painting
The earliest known examples of encaustic paintings are the Romano-Egyptian Fayum mummy portraits from 100-300 AD, but the technique was also prevalent in ancient Greek and Roman painting. It was later employed in early Byzantine icons and by notable artists such as Diego Rivera and Fernando Leal.
In the encaustic method, coloured pigments are added to a heated wax medium, typically made of beeswax and damar resin. This molten mixture is then applied to a surface, usually prepared wood, although canvas and other materials like card, paper, and pottery can also be used. Artists can use metal tools, special brushes, and heated implements like spatulas, knives, and scrapers to shape and manipulate the wax as it cools.
The encaustic technique offers a unique creative experience due to its unpredictable nature. Artists can layer, reheat, and further manipulate the wax, incorporating mixed media elements such as collage, photo transfers, oil colours, oil pastels, dry pastels, charcoal, and found objects. Encaustic art is known for its dimensional quality, luminous colours, and ability to create intricate, organic patterns through techniques like shellac burn.
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Mixed-media encaustic painting
Encaustic wax is a unique and versatile medium with a long history, dating back over 2000 years to ancient Egypt. Encaustic painting involves using molten wax, which can be worked into with various tools to create different shapes and textures. Due to its quick drying time and reworkability, encaustic wax lends itself well to mixed-media art, where multiple materials are used in a single artwork.
Another technique is to use encaustic wax as a foundation for other media. Encaustic wax can be used as a surface coating to protect and add sheen to paintings created with other media, such as watercolour, ink, or oil. It can also be used as an additive to create a matte finish or control the reflectance of the final coating. Additionally, encaustic wax can be combined with oil colours, oil pastels, dry pastels, charcoal, and more, allowing artists to paint and draw directly on the wax.
Shellac burn is a unique technique used in encaustic painting to create intricate, organic patterns. A thin layer of pigmented shellac is applied over cooled wax and ignited with a small flame. As the shellac burns, it causes the top layer of wax to crack and shift, resulting in delicate, web-like effects.
Encaustic wax is a fascinating medium that offers endless possibilities for experimentation and creativity in mixed-media art. Its versatility and ease of use make it a compelling choice for artists looking to explore new techniques and incorporate a variety of materials in their artworks.
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Wax as an additive to reduce gloss
Wax has been used for centuries as a finish for wood and pictures. It is a versatile medium that can be polished to a high gloss, carved, scraped, layered, collaged, dipped, cast, modelled, sculpted, textured, and combined with oil. Wax can be used as a protective coating for paintings that cannot be varnished with solvent varnish solutions. It can also be used as a protective coating over spirit varnishes because of its ease of removal with mild solvents.
Wax is often used as an additive to varnishes to reduce their gloss and create a matte surface or a more even sheen. This is achieved by mixing the wax directly with the liquid varnish before applying it to the painting. No heating is required for this process. The wax can then be buffed to a gloss finish and thinned with turpentine or mineral spirits. The harder the wax, the glossier the sheen. Carnauba wax, for example, is the hardest natural wax and can be buffed to the highest shine.
Cold wax is a simple mixture of lightly bleached beeswax, Gamsol, and a small amount of alkyd resin. Cold wax provides a flat, matte finish to artwork, helping to eliminate unwanted gloss or shine. It can be used on traditional oil paintings, alkyd oil paintings, water-mixable oil paintings, acrylic paintings, and cold wax paintings. Cold wax is also ideal for paintings that incorporate the use of oil bars, as they can contain a high wax content.
When using cold wax medium alone as a painting medium on stretched canvas, it is recommended to limit the wax to 1/3 of the total paint mixture. Adding Gamsol to cold wax medium will make it more fluid without adding gloss.
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Frequently asked questions
Encaustic wax is a painting medium that involves using molten wax to create images. It can be polished to a high gloss, carved, scraped, layered, collaged, dipped, cast, modelled, sculpted, textured, and combined with oil.
Oil colour, oil pastel, oil paint sticks, dry pastels, and charcoal can be used over encaustic wax. You can also use encaustic wax over a watercolour painting, ink drawing, or photograph.
Wax is not porous, so paint will not stick to it without assistance. You can wipe the wax with mineral spirits or rubbing alcohol to help paint stick to the surface.
Conservar Wax is a soft paste made of microcrystalline wax and aldehyde resin in mineral spirits. It is used as a final coating to protect surfaces by sealing out dirt, air, and moisture. It can be used on paintings, metal sculptures, wood carvings, and antiques.
![Jolie Gilding Wax – Metallic Finish for Furniture, Hardware, and Décor, Gold, 1 Ounce [30ml]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51OehOSSXNL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
