by Deb Perugi | Aug 11, 2021 | Abstraction, Books, Cold Wax and Oil
A number of newer paintings on Perugi Studio are described as Cold Wax & Oil. What is this new (or not so new) painting method? It is a product by Gamblin (and others) made with mostly beeswax and some solvent. When the artist adds oil paint in a ratio of 1 part paint to 3 parts wax, it becomes a spreadable mixture that is easy to use and less expensive than oil alone. Other advantages are its’ luminosity, butter consistancy, and short drying time. It can be textured with tools and layered which is useful for making abstract paintings. Because it is primarily made of wax, it can only be applied to cradle board or other hard surfaces. (Arches oil paper can also be used if it is adhered to a board later.) The mixture can be collaged with paper and other materials. Other innovations include adding marble dust, sand, pastel powders, etc.
Cold was was introduced in the 30’s as an alternative to hot wax or encaustics. Encaustics involve heating pots that can be dangerous. Cold wax has become more popular in the last few years because of its ease of use, versatiliy and accessibility. And it was reintroduced by the cold wax Bible “Cold Wax Medium: Techniques, Concepts & Conversations” by Rebecca Crowell & Jerry McLaughlin, now in its third printing. It can be purchased at the website ColdWaxAcademy.com.
by Deb Perugi | Jul 27, 2020 | Arts, Awards, Cold Wax and Oil, Nicholas Wilton
Nicholas Wilton recently spoke with artist Nadine Renazile, and she shared something about painting with scale that confirmed his creative experience, but never thought through to put into words.
“Small, tiny paintings need to feel powerful and large paintings need to feel intimate.”
See the video interview here: https://www.art2life.com/2020/07/26/the-intimacy-of-scale/
I’m sharing three small paintings I did in a series before the Black Lives Matter interrupted into a national crisis. I was thinking about slavery and maybe it was Black Lives month, and reports of police abuse were beginning to be being aired. So I did this. Only when the first two were made did I recognize what I had made. The third one was begun and I saw a skull. The series came into being. Serendipity but also an artist will to communicate a thought. So I think this is a good example of tiny paintings that feel powerful.
The paintings below describe the experience of an African Slave in America. From left to right: A Way In as a slave via a ship, The Hiding Place while fleeing slavery, and finally Death of a Slave.
by Deb Perugi | Mar 31, 2020 | Books, Cold Wax and Oil, Newton Commuity Education, Newton Open Studios, Workshops
I had a lot planned this Spring. This weekend I would have been in Newton Centre at the Newton Open Studios weekend show. I was also scheduled to teach Cold Wax Medium classes for Newton Community Education in April. Then, in June, I was to hang a month long show of my paintings at United Parish of Auburndale. Suddenly, that very busy Spring and Summer has turned into other sorts of work because of the Covid 19 Virus.
I subscribed to a three part online Cold Wax class by the authors of the Cold Wax bible, Cold Wax Medium: Techniques, Concepts and Conversations by Jerry McLaughlin, Rebecca A. Crowell. I’m looking forward to spending seven hours learning about new techniques and practicing in my home studio. But, this will have to wait a week or two while I help a Globe colleague layout a 160 page book about a South Boston Village and its history. This has been a nice distraction and it feels good to be employed.
A hello to everyone and hope that you are all well and you and your loved ones are safe. Hopefully, this summer will bring a safer environment.
by Deb Perugi | Jan 31, 2020 | Cold Wax and Oil, Newton Commuity Education, Oil Painting, Workshops
I will be teaching Cold Wax on board (or paper) in the upcoming Spring session at Newton South High School. Classes start April 2 and end April 30. Thursday each week for four classes total. (No class April 23) The time is in the evenings, 6:30 to 9:30 pm. I taught this class the first time in Marlborough for three session at the Post Road Art Center and for five sessions last Fall with Newton Community Ed. This class is designed for beginners in cold wax or art in general. I review the basics of color theory, design and mark making. Beginners to cold Wax can purchase a kit from me that includes cold wax medium, paper, rubber spatula and several paint sticks. Oil paint and acrylic paint is also recommended. Find out more at newtoncommunityed.org.
by Deb Perugi | Oct 23, 2019 | Arts, Cold Wax and Oil, Newton Commuity Education, Workshops
This Monday we started a five week class on Cold Wax Painting at Newton South High School through the Newton Community Education Program. Class starts at 6:30 pm and runs until 9 pm. Come join us! Cold Wax medium is provided by the instructor (me) and there is a list of other materials to bring. Check it out at the Newton Community Education website. It’s not too late to join us!
In this class we are learning about what Cold Wax Medium is and how to use it. There are a lot of materials and tools involved in the stages of the cold wax drying process. We are also covering Value, Design and Color so that artists can improve their art skills as well as learning the medium.
by Deb Perugi | Sep 14, 2019 | Awards, Cold Wax and Oil, Newton Art Association, Shows
“Doors and Ways” cold wax and oil diptych won an award through the Newton Art Association on Monday. The party and ceremony took place at the Newton Public Library where the art exhibit is hanging. The award, the Mollie L. & Henry Schoenberg Award was juried by John Kasbohm, owner, of Atelier 564 in Newton.
A number of newer paintings on Perugi Studio are described as Cold Wax & Oil. What is this new (or not so new) painting method? It is a product by Gamblin (and others) made with mostly beeswax and some solvent. When the artist adds oil paint in a ratio of 1 part paint to 3 parts wax, it becomes a spreadable mixture that is easy to use and less expensive than oil alone. Other advantages are its’ luminosity, butter consistancy, and short drying time. It can be textured with tools and layered which is useful for making abstract paintings. Because it is primarily made of wax, it can only be applied to cradle board or other hard surfaces. (Arches oil paper can also be used if it is adhered to a board later.) The mixture can be collaged with paper and other materials. Other innovations include adding marble dust, sand, pastel powders, etc.
