Mastering Cold Wax Painting: Tips for Adding Intricate Detail

'Eaves Wood' A Landscape Painting by Peter Corr (Detail)

Detail in cold wax paintings

This painting draws inspiration from multiple walks through 'Eaves Wood' near Silverdale in Lancashire. I used a mix of sketches and photographs to compose this scene. An excerpt from the National Trust about ancient woodland in Arnside and Silverdale is included.

'Parts of Eaves Wood are classified as semi-ancient woodland, having existed for over 400 years. The small-leaved limes in Eaves Wood are a collection believed to be several centuries old, all originating from a single tree. Limes can drop a branch that then regrows from the ground into a new tree, making them akin to a phoenix in the woodland world'.

'The diversity within Eaves Wood contributes to its uniqueness. Mature yew trees create a deep, atmospheric darkness with their twisted trunks and gnarled roots, while other areas where new hazel or ash coppice is emerging feel lighter and vibrant. In spring, the coppiced hazel areas, cut back to their bases and allowed to regrow, become a sanctuary for primroses and violets. Meanwhile, the lighter glades are dotted with bluebells and wood anemones'.

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'Eaves Wood' A Landscape Painting by Peter Corr (Detail)

Recycling - The Starting Point

I've been working on an unfinished painting for several days, and while it's not complete, some of its key elements are already apparent. To create the feeling of being in a forest landscape, surrounded by trees and undergrowth, I chose a panoramic canvas. For the first layer, I used a brayer to apply a thick impasto and added shards of dried cold wax from previous paintings. I highly recommend saving scrapings or shavings from your past work to incorporate into new pieces. This method quickly develops rich and authentic textural qualities that blend effortlessly with fresh cold wax medium. The German artist Anselm Kiefer often employs this technique in many of his large-scale paintings. It also minimises waste and enhances your recycling efforts.

Tools & Equipment

While I don't usually use brushes in my work, I employed various techniques to apply cold wax in this painting. The linear details, tree trunks, and branches were crafted using cold wax mixed with turpentine and linseed oil, utilizing a combination of hog hair and sable brushes. Additional fine lines and details were achieved by scoring and etching through lighter layers to reveal the darker ones beneath. The forest floor and tree leaves were suggested using a scumbling or dry brush technique, applied with palette knives and crumpled foil. As always, there is a rhythmic interplay between dark and light areas, objects, and ground.

'Eaves Wood' A Landscape Painting by Peter Corr 100 x 50 x 4 cm

How do you know when to stop adding details?

For an artist, determining the appropriate level of detail in a piece is crucial. While intricate fine details can be impressive, they do not guarantee the success of a painting. The Photo Realist movement has produced some remarkable works, but this approach has its drawbacks. Paintings are a means of communication and should convey a range of ideas and emotions. Focusing solely on technical precision can diminish a painting's ability to communicate meaning. Since this piece is still a work in progress, I have many decisions to make, and its direction will depend on how I balance technical skill with emotional impact. Ultimately, the key takeaway is that cold wax is highly effective for depicting fine detail.