New Cold Wax Paintings
I’ve seen paintings crop up at shows with the label “Cold Wax” which interested me because I always wanted to learn encaustic painting. Encaustic is also known as hot wax painting, and involves using heated beeswax to which colored pigments are added. The liquid or paste is then applied to a surface. There is a learning curve with it, especially because it can burn you. And it requires specialized materials. Not so with cold wax. You do need a few new cans of this and that but it is easy to set up and use.
See my first cold wax paintings here. One of my teachers at Concord Art took a class with Pamela Caughey who has a You Tube video on how to start painting with cold wax. This was all I needed to get started. You will need a wood panel, acrylic and oil paints, cold wax medium and clear gesso. It is a process of mark marking and layering, which will pull you out of your old habits and be free. The marks are added with graphite and acrylic paints. The clear gesso is then applied to provide a base for the wax. Mix the wax 50/50 with oil paint and apply with rubber tools and spatulas. You can cover areas and be selective about what you keep and what you cover. Go to cold wax paintings.