Cold Wax Painting Medium
made in the UK

Fine Art Materials

Zest-it Cold Wax Painting Medium
applied to black paper.

There's debate about the type of surface when using Cold Wax Painting Medium.
Its said that the work must always be on a rigid surface; some say not.

Reading the works of the late 18 early 1900's on the subject of wax and oil paint techniques, also, from the research and experiments I have done, nothing suggests or indicates that works using wax medium and oil paint need restricting to a rigid surface.
It does need a stable surface that has some absorbency.

Paper has always been a good surface for Wax, prints are made on paper using oil based inks, encaustic painting is often on paper, many works in museums indicate that it is archival. Heavyweight paper has always been good, have a look at these images.

One thing has become apparent however, the modern acrylic primed canvas, with its plastic feel, little absorbency and a 'thin' weave, are an unsuitable surface for a wax/oil painting to live a good life!
Perhaps this is one of the reasons for recommending a rigid surface?

Choose a particular surface according to your working methods or the effect required.
 

We tested numerous types of gesso, chalk paint, gel's, paste's, casein, milk paint and many others, to establish if the Cold Wax worked and lived a good life with these different finishes. Very necessary if people intend making their own surface to work on.

Like Cold Wax with a good brand name, branded surface finishes can usually be relied upon, as they have been tested for suitability as a surface ground for oil and wax painting.

If you are new to Cold Wax or feel unsure of how to choose a surface. Apply some Cold Wax to cardboard and note how it feels, then do the same with a wall tile, doing this will give you an insight into which you prefer - a hard surface or a softer one.

Waxes tested on different surfaces, both paper and canvas.

Birch Ply, temporary image

Birch Plywood is a rigid support excellent for painting onto, it needs no priming for the wax/oil  mixture to live well.
The plywood veneer can be used raw, primed, or a thin skim of wax applied to the surface - another way of priming the surface.
Zest-it Cold Wax Painting Medium can be used to prime a suitable surface, apply in a thin layer.

Birch is a stable, quality ground for use with wax medium and oil paint, especially, if numerous layers will be built-up for the work.
Unlikely to warp, it will remain sound and carry the weight of paint, however, 3mm would be a minimum thickness.

Purchase from your local DIY store, they will usually cut the sheet of Birch Ply to size, or, try online for a large selection. The same can be said for MDF
 

Testing papers that are recommended to be used for painting with oil paint, most  paper surfaces worked very well and without 'bleed through'.
Watercolour paper also works, especially if given a coat of primer. The paper needs to be thick enough and capable of taking the weight of the wax/oil mixture.

Painting with wax and oil on paper can be a rewarding experience, it is responsive and the wax/oil live well on it.
There are concerns about the deterioration of the paper when oil paint is applied, however, a rag paper that is 'buffered' internally and sized externally is highly suitable.

Works of oil on paper have lived well, if Constable's oils on paper are an example, some now over 200 years old in the V & A.

Works on paper using wax and oil paint.
 

Thick stippled wax/oil on paper.

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