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Cold wax painting has become a favourite technique among contemporary artists who want to create rich surfaces, layered depth, and atmospheric effects. The medium invites experimentation and rewards patience, allowing artists to build complex textures that feel almost sculptural.
If you enjoy working with oil paint but want greater control over surface texture and transparency, cold wax medium opens up an entirely new language of mark-making.
What Is Cold Wax Medium?
Cold wax medium is a paste made primarily from beeswax, solvent, and sometimes a small amount of resin. Unlike encaustic painting, it does not require heat.
When mixed with oil paint, cold wax:
- thickens the paint
- creates a soft, buttery consistency
- produces a beautiful matte, velvety finish
- allows artists to build layers and carve into the surface
Because the wax diffuses the paint film, colours often become softer and more atmospheric, lending themselves beautifully to abstract landscapes, textured compositions, and expressive surfaces.
Why Artists Love Cold Wax
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Cold wax is prized for the unique surfaces it creates. It allows painters to move beyond smooth oil painting and explore texture in a more physical way.
Artists use cold wax to:
- build thick impasto textures
- scrape and reveal underlying layers
- embed materials like charcoal or pigment
- create translucent veils of colour
- soften colours for atmospheric effects
The resulting paintings often have a stone-like, aged quality that feels both contemporary and timeless.
How to Paint with Cold Wax
1. Mix With Oil Paint
Cold wax medium is mixed directly with oil paint.
A common ratio is:
50% oil paint / 50% cold wax medium
Artists often adjust this ratio depending on the desired texture. More wax creates thicker, matte layers with greater body.
2. Work on a Rigid Surface
Cold wax layers can become quite thick, so it is best to work on rigid supports such as:
- birch panels
- cradled wood panels
- aluminium composite panels
Flexible canvases can crack over time if paint layers become too heavy.
(Birch panels — like the ones many artists prefer — are particularly ideal for this technique.)
3. Build Layers and Scrape Back
One of the joys of cold wax painting is the ability to build and reveal layers.
Artists often:
- apply a layer
- let it set slightly
- scrape back into the paint
- reveal colours underneath
This process creates depth and history within the painting.
Drying and Curing
Cold wax paintings dry faster than traditional oil paintings because the wax absorbs some of the oil.
Typical drying time:
- touch dry: a few days
- fully cured: several weeks
Because of the wax content, these paintings develop a soft matte surface rather than the glossy finish typical of oil paint.
Can Cold Wax Paintings Be Varnished?
Cold wax paintings are usually not varnished.
Instead, once the painting has fully cured, many artists gently buff the surface with a soft cloth, producing a subtle satin sheen while preserving the beautiful matte quality of the wax.
Materials You Will Need
To begin working with cold wax, you will typically need:
- oil paints
- cold wax medium
- rigid panels (such as birch panels)
- palette knives and scraping tools
- rags or paper towels
- odourless mineral spirits (optional)
Many artists also incorporate materials such as charcoal, graphite, pigment powders, or sand to create additional texture.
A Medium That Rewards Exploration
Cold wax painting sits somewhere between painting and sculpture. The surface becomes an active part of the artwork, inviting scratching, layering, building, and removing.
For artists drawn to texture, depth, and atmosphere, cold wax offers an incredibly satisfying process.
Each layer leaves behind subtle traces — creating paintings that feel mysterious, tactile, and full of history.
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👉 COLD WAX