How do I use oil paint with cold wax medium?
- peter corr
- Jan 10, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 18, 2025
This is the question I encounter most frequently. While there are different versions, the core inquiry remains the same for everyone interested.
Here are some of the most common questions:
What is cold wax painting?
How should I paint with cold wax?
Can I make cold wax medium?
Do you mix it with oil paint?
Can I use it with acrylic paint?
How do I seal a cold wax painting?
Where can I buy a ready-made cold wax medium?
I will attempt to address these questions using my current painting, 'Der Wald,' as it showcases many of the techniques applicable to oil and cold wax medium.
What is Cold Wax?
Cold wax is a medium utilized with oil paint. It primarily consists of beeswax, with a bit of solvent to soften it and additional ingredients to assist in drying. At room temperature, it has a soft, paste-like texture and dries to a matte finish. Unlike encaustic techniques, no heat is necessary for its use. However, heat is needed if you wish to create it yourself. More on this will be covered in a future post.
How should I paint with cold wax?
Although you can find numerous tutorial videos and suggestions with a quick Google search, there are no strict rules. The primary feature of cold wax is its incredible versatility and adaptability. It can be used in so many ways that I doubt you'll ever exhaust its possibilities. In these pieces, I have applied a series of layers. The first layer of relatively thick medium was applied using a brayer and palette knives. If you create cold wax, you can adjust the solvent-to-wax ratio to achieve different flow characteristics. For instance, the cold wax used in the initial layers here was very thick to enhance and maximise sculptural and textural qualities. By increasing the solvent-to-wax ratio, you can create a very thin mixture that allows for the control of fine details and marks. Most of my paintings are developed using a variety of cold wax blends.
Can I make cold wax medium?
Many of you will find it possible to create a cold wax medium, as it is quite straightforward, and the ingredients are easily accessible. However, I must emphasise that this is not a recommendation. I encourage each reader to conduct their own research and implement strict safety measures if you choose to make it yourself. I will write a separate blog post detailing the specific methods I use. The main benefit of making your own cold wax medium, rather than purchasing a commercial product, is the increased control over viscosity and fluidity. There are various recipes used by cold wax practitioners, but they generally involve a combination of beeswax and a solvent like turpentine. An important advantage, especially during a 'cost of living crisis,' is the considerable savings compared to proprietary products. Having the freedom to use materials generously is liberating and can influence risk-taking, experimentation, and final creative outcomes.
Do you mix it with oil paint?
Certainly, cold wax and oil paint form an ideal combination. Oil paint is known for its slow drying time, requiring you to wait for each layer to dry before proceeding. This isn't true for cold wax. While drying times can differ based on your mix or the commercial brand you use, the overall speed of execution is significantly increased. Cold wax is highly adaptable and doesn't require adherence to the traditional oil painting rule of 'fat over lean'. You can work in any manner you prefer, and cold wax won't pose many challenges.
Can I use it with acrylic paint?
I've sometimes been asked whether acrylic can be mixed with cold wax medium. Yes, it can be done, but it's not a common practice for me. As is typical with oil paintings, you can begin with acrylic and then move to oil in the later stages, but not the reverse. However, there is a water-based cold wax medium that can be mixed with acrylic. I haven't worked with it myself, and I believe using a water-based medium might diminish many of the qualities that oil offers.
How do I seal a cold wax painting?
Cold wax medium serves as an excellent sealant for a cold wax painting. At the end of the final drying or curing phase, a thin layer of cold wax can be applied using a cloth or brush. This allows you to selectively burnish the surface, enhancing sheen, translucency, and colour intensity. It protects the painting from dust and dirt and can be re-burnished later to prolong the painting's lifespan.
Where can I buy a ready-made cold wax medium?
A quick Google search will reveal numerous art stores offering cold wax medium. The primary manufacturers are Gamblin and Dorlands, but Zest-It is also available, often found on Amazon and eBay.
In future posts, I will explore some of the issues mentioned here in greater detail. If you have specific questions about any aspect of cold wax painting, please feel free to reach out to me.