I have been using quite a bit of cold wax medium in my recent paintings and have combined and greatly simplified recipes I’ve found online from other artists. I love the rich textural quality of this medium and also the fact that it speeds up the drying time of oil paints. The finish is matte but if you prefer gloss, you can always varnish a painting when it is completely dry. I tend to start with an underpainting using acrylics and then switch over to oils. Remember – never, ever paint acrylic over oil paint! It is perfectly acceptable and liberating to use them as an underpainting, however. I will post more about my cold wax oil painting technique another time, but first, here is the recipe.
You will need (1) bees wax pellets and these are easy to find: Amazon or Stakich (1lb. bag = $12.90). Buy bleached or white pellets. Next, you need an (2) alkyd medium and I use Galkyd (brand name); a (3) solvent like Turpenoid (odorless turpentine) or odorless paint thinner, or Gamsol (brand name and more expensive). Any one of these solvents will work. Other supplies: an old pot and electric burner, a measuring glass, a tablespoon measure, a jar to store it in, and something to stir it with. Do not use anything from your kitchen – get this stuff from goodwill and never cook with it again or measure food with any of it! The measurements need to be fairly precise but don’t worry this process is really simple.
Here is the 3 step recipe: measure 1/2 cup plus 1 TBL. of wax pellets and put them in the pot, measure 1 TBL. of the Galkyd and place it in the pot with the wax. Stir and heat this mix on low until the wax melts completely. Pour this into your storage jar. Now, you will wait 15 min. or so for the wax mix to cool down. When you are able to handle the jar comfortably it’s ready. Do not let the mix set up or harden! Finally, pour 1/2 cup plus 1 TBL. of whatever solvent you are using. and stir this well. It will instantly get milky and curdle a bit. Stir a few times and let it cool a bit more then cover the jar. This product must always be stored covered or it will dry out! That’s it – in a couple of hours it will be the right consistency.
