What is cold wax and how to use it in oil painting!

[@sandrajohnson2489]

I'm a painter (mostly oils) and have been for a long time. I just recently found out about cold wax and oil painting. I want to try it! I've watched several tutorials about this method but was left confused about it until I found your channel. You describe everything very well and I appreciate it. You're a good teacher!! Thank you!!

[@ByrdDesigns]

Thank you so much Sandra! I love to hear that. Good luck and I hope you have some fun creating!

[@sandrajohnson2489]

@@ByrdDesigns Thank you!!! I already have a subject in mind!

[@ambidextrousandre]

Thank you for this Jaime. I went to an Art Gallery show here in Christchurch, New Zealand tonight and there was a painting that really took my interest. He said he used wax and paints so this is why I'm watching your video. It's one of the most gorgeous paintings I have ever seen. It looked like a photograph, blurred then sharp to define hair. I work with watercolours but I might have to go back to oils. Thank you Jaime.

[@fotolookconde]

Jaime Byrd your artwork is inspiring me a lot! I've made my own cold wax before yesterday and soon I am going to start my first panel!

[@kenneth1767]

It's also fun making cold wax, but caution needed with flammable ingredients. I made using Damar resin instead of the alkyd medium. Tweeked it so that it's got a sheen between matt and gloss. 2C41 channel did a great video on traditional mediums and how to 'cook' with them, as Rembrandt did :)

[@lauraorem1276]

Can you share what your proportions of wax and Damar resin were?

[@l.wolfm.7006]

Always remember that you can apply a coat of acrylic gesso to your paper. A heavier watercolor paper works best. When you first apply the gesso, your paper will buckle up but then as the gesso drys your paper will revert back to being flat again. Just an interesting thing that is working out very nicely for me.

[@lolitakaloustianyoung7787]

Hi Jainne, . STILL not clear if you need to dry the layers before applying more - i.e. if I apply thin layer as you show, does that need to dry thoroughly, partially or not at all before apply heavier layers. Loved the demo and am a new subscriber. Thank you.

[@eBookHoarder]

👀

[@jasonmarlo4816]

Where do you get a squeegee like that?? I've seen a few artists that use that kind.

[@francesbrown5061]

Whats the substrate your using. Is it thick water color paper or ply wood ?

[@theresarichards2189]

I put white marble dust and/or activated charcoal into my wax to brush on a haze over my colors. The wax suspends it.

[@fabienneschweitzer8354]

Thank you for sharing I never try this but I have to do, I love what I see. Please can you tell me if I can use water oil with cold wax or not ? Thank you

[@a.humphries8678]

How do you clean up afterward? If you use water mixable oils and CW on a brush or knives how do you clean them?

[@theresarichards2189]

I use a squeeze bottle of vegetable oil, squirt it on my glass palette, scrapers, brayers and use shop rags to wipe it off then I take turpentine wipes 1-2 to wipe everything down.

[@lucretiaonutube]

Hey Jaime, thanks for this, I will get some of the wax you use and let you see the results when I've finished. Merry Christmas and a happy new year! 🎄😊

[@BlindLyleFilms]

You're welcome! I'd love to know about your results! Merry Christmas!

[@madeleinebacklund1682]

Hi...I'm watching from London, UK. great stuff. What do you use to make those initial dark brown/black markings?? Wax pen or?

[@juliavanschalkwyk9321]

In rsa you make everything.yourself. i had about 5 liters of cold wax ( recipe: turps, linseed, resin and filtered unbleached beeswax). It got harder over time due to oxidation, so i reheat the lot and add some stand linseed oil and pure turps, now it is perfect again. I also use porcelain powder or.calcium.carbonate to thicken the cold wax, but ash is nice due to grittyness. You can also add some.sand to the powders to get the same gritty effect. I know some cold wax recipes don't ask for linseed oil to be added, and that is where gamsol works perfect.

[@saraburr57]

Do you need to add dryers?

[@johndoe-lw1xo]

If a impasto style oil painting was created using cold wax and hanging in a home or an environment with extreme desert heat for example would of have an effect on the wax? Would it melt?

[@ByrdDesigns]

It would not melt. What I understand is that cold wax is a resin base therefore it cures to a hard surface like enamel.

[@teinasart4055]

Can you use Gamvar Gloss Varnish over a cold wax oil painting?

[@ByrdDesigns]

I don't know why not, but I would check with Gamblin first to make sure. I do know you will want the painting to be VERY cured (dry) before doing so. I wouldn't do it before 3 months after the painting is completed.

[@vibhutipanchal5050]

Thanks dear for sharing this

[@adeliamcsherley8763]

Excellent content and presentation... Thank you...

[@patriciahoffmann1201]

beautiful ,is this the waterbased cold wax or the wax you could use on furniture to ? thank you

[@ByrdDesigns]

This is a product specifically for oil paints. Not for water based paints or furniture. You can Google "Cold Wax" to find out more. =)

[@sharinye6026]

Hiya do you have to wait for layers to dry before you put another on ? Thanks :)

[@ByrdDesigns]

Shari- you do not need to wait for each layer to dry, however it is helpful depending on how you like to paint. I have some difficulty with painting “wet on wet“, therefore I prefer to allow some drying time (2-24 hours) between layers.

[@freespiritwithnature4384]

Oil paints can take months to dry .

[@vidhikataria1364]

What color or pencil did you do the markings with ?

[@alicef1b]

Can you paint oil and cold wax on paper and it will stay ok? Or should It be on wood?

[@ByrdDesigns]

Just saw this comment! Sorry for the delay! You need to use paper that is prepped for oil paint like Arches oil paper. If you use any other paper or wood- it must have a few coats of gesso on it first. ☺️

[@TheDivera]

Thank you 😊. Your videos and work are very inspiring. I am using water soluble oil paint and I was wondering if I can use cold wax to mix with it?

[@emmanuellagoethals6814]

Yes you can. But than you have to know that their is mineral spirit and damar resin in de Cold wax. So if you are using water soluble oil paint for a special reason ( for example because you are reacting to mineral spirits) you most be aware of this

[@reneekroyer5104]

I've never heard of this before. Would it work with acrylic paint? I love the texture and I love painting with palette knives too.

[@theewhaler]

No it definitely doesn’t work with acrylic paint.

[@DabblebagTheArtofAnnaBarnhart]

Try super heavy acrylic gel, it acts similar to this. Great for palette knifes.

[@reneekroyer5104]

@@DabblebagTheArtofAnnaBarnhart Thank you. I'll do that. I've never heard of heavy acrylic gel before. Can I get it at any art supply store? Like Dick Blick?

[@freespiritwithnature4384]

Do we need to buy it online or an we buy it locally? I’m trying to support the people in my town to support local businesses. Can we make our own cold wax or reuse old wax in any way. I use a spatula.

[@lynnwise2752]

Hi, thanks so much for this really helpful video 😊 When you say you sometimes use ash, do you mean normal ash from a wood fire? Thanks

[@ByrdDesigns]

Yes, I take ash right from my fireplace and filter it through a mesh strainer to remove any big chunks of charcoal.

[@GabrielaAna24]

HI, Thanks for your video. At the end, when the paint/wax dries.... can it crack and fall out - like cancle wax does? Or does it stay 'fixed'? Thanks

[@ByrdDesigns]

It can crack if you use many thick layers which is why it is recommended to only painting on hard surfaces like wood. Good luck!!

[@GabrielaAna24]

@@ByrdDesigns thank you so much! Kind regards :)

[@sheliacruz3502]

What kind of ash.. where do you get it. Does it change the color of your paint.

[@BlindLyleFilms]

I actually take ash out of my fireplace and then remove any big pieces of debris. I think there is also a product you can buy but I don't remember what it's called.

[@ByrdDesigns]

@@BlindLyleFilms I think it's can grey the color slightly, but that's kind of the effect I wanted when I mixed it with white.

[@gwenbardon6025]

I use marble dust to thicken my oil and cold wax. It is super cheap and sold online at art stores!

[@Bavubuka]

I love your channel! 🙌. Can you tell me how long after creating an oil painting with cold wax can I then roll up the canvas and ship it? Thank you!

[@ByrdDesigns]

When working with cold wax, you should only paint on hard surfaces that should NOT be rolled up. Usually wood panels. Because there is a hardening resin in the cold wax that can crack and break paint if the piece is rolled. I just don't risk it.

[@Bavubuka]

@@ByrdDesigns thank you!

[@Bavubuka]

@@ByrdDesigns Oh wow, did not know that. Is it okay to paint on already stretched and mounted canvas?

[@annavernick1490]

Yes you can roll canvas after panting with cold wax medium - look for Jackson Art blog by Sally Hirst - she shows pics of unharmed canvas tests she made with different cold wax brands

[@belindaroca4577]

Hi. How do u seal it when its done?

[@ByrdDesigns]

There is no need to seal it. The cold wax works as a great seal and will protect the painting.

[@belindaroca4577]

@@ByrdDesigns Great thank you. Do u need to seal it if you're just using RF Color sticks over acrylic paints?

[@ByrdDesigns]

@@belindaroca4577 - no I don’t believe you do need to seal it. If you decide you would like to put some kind of seal over it you will want to make sure those oil sticks are thoroughly dry which can take months!

[@lauriebloodworth9534]

Can cold wax be used as a matte finish on top of varnish after its dry. This Matte Gamblin varnish I got is drying more like a gloss.

[@ByrdDesigns]

I believe you can - if it's really really dried. I would look that up to make sure. I know it works well after painting with oil or acrylic to seal and create a matte finish, but after a varnish I do not know. Good luck!

[@sallysirmons6219]

Can you add cold wax to acrylics?

[@Wal48]

You’ve probably got your answer by now, but no, apparently you can’t.

[@lauramolecavage]

can you use with acrylic paints?

[@ByrdDesigns]

No. Cold wax is a product only used with oil paints.

[@cmwh3902]

can you use this technique to paint on a hat? If not what would you suggest?

[@ByrdDesigns]

This will not work on fabric. Because it's oil paint, you will need any surface covered well with 2-3 coats of gesso before painting. Oil with cold wax is best on wood that has been gessoed well so that it will not crack.

[@Pottymoon]

Can I use my Artisan water based oil paint?

[@ByrdDesigns]

No. I believe it’s not compatible and can only be used with pure oil paints.

[@Pottymoon]

@@ByrdDesigns Thank you Jaime

[@eBookHoarder]

You can use water mixable oils with regular oil paint and regular oil paint mediums but once mixed they will no longer be water mixable and clean up must be done the regular way.

[@joannebrenner6853]

Hi, how do you frame your finished work?

[@ByrdDesigns]

I usually don't frame my paintings since I paint deep wood panels and keep the sides clean. However, some people might like to add a floating frame if that's something they prefer.

[@MmeCaroKaba]

Can be a crazy question but what would happen if we heaten that mixture of oilpaint with the wax?Would it start floating or dripping ?Did somebody ever do this? Could be a fun effect😄

[@ByrdDesigns]

It's very dangerous to heat cold wax since it is made with mineral spirits. "Hot Wax" (for encaustics) is used for such things as heating and melting - that can create wonderful effects. However, heating "Cold Wax" could combust and start a fire.

[@vibhutipanchal5050]

What is cold wax....how we get it...?

[@DabblebagTheArtofAnnaBarnhart]

Love seeing tools besides brushes!

[@ByrdDesigns]

Thanks! I will use just about anything I can get my hands on and see if I like the effects or not! LOL!

[@tinashoeib6155]

Can you use the oil wax into a thinner oil paint just to thicken it to paint wet on wet technique.. I have some paint that is not the thick constancy of the Windsor Newton paint that I am used to, which also works well on wet on wet.

[@annmariegraham2699]

In this video what were you painting on?

[@ByrdDesigns]

Oh, sorry - I realized I was referring to another video. In THIS video I am using "ARCHES" Oil paper. It is prepped specifically for oil paint so you do not need to prime it with gesso. Another item you can get from most art supply stores. =)

[@viladakila]

Hi Jaime, I just discovered you on IG want to know more about cold wax and painting, so thank you for this video ! Quick question, wondering if I can get cold wax mad from soy or any other non animal ingredients? (I'm vegan)...thank you!

[@ByrdDesigns]

Thank you so much! Im not sure at all about making cold wax. But I do know that it has a lot to do with the integrity of how long it may last. So trying new things will only tell us how long it will last from this point forward.

[@freespiritwithnature4384]

What kind of canvas do you recommend if I’m going to see it and tape ? Also for oil painting brushes,I began to get so frustrated because I spent a lot in brushes but the paint was wet on my landscape and the hair from brushes was everywhere. So frustrating. So I’m looking to but a special tape or someone please recommend decent brushes for when I do want to do a landscape,wet on wet . I haven’t tried the cold wax . I have Windsor and Newton. I heard about wood paneling but isn’t that expensive? Unfortunately I don’t have a lot of money . How many layers do you do ,I guess it depends on the quality of your canvas. Ash from fireplace? Or do you buy your ash . Idk we used to use ash to put on our snow lol. I’m in Ontario Canada 🇨🇦. Thanks honey. I’d love to share a glass. Unfortunately my sister is going through colon cancer and I’ve recommended the FENDBENDAZOLE. Hopefully that works ,hearing great success from other who have taken it . I don’t have a good tolerance to odors or fumes. I do use odourless paint thinner but even the paint I hear can leave fumes without us necessarily smelling-them . ❤️🙏 Thanks so very much for sharing your wisdom. Your a good human Gamblin isn’t sold here ,yet it is 200 miles away and this city is 4 times bigger lol. Gamblin has a beautiful array of colours .

[@ByrdDesigns]

If you're working in oil with cold wax, it's highly recommended to use gesso wood or oil paint paper. You can find more info on this on some of my other videos. =) As far as brushes goes, it's difficult to recommend any since I usually paint with other tools. But in the past buying high quality brushes (brushes that are at least $15US each or more) will keep you from having your problem with brush hairs falling out. You can get all your oil and cold wax questions answered through this website and their book: coldwaxacademy.com Good luck and sorry to hear about your sister!

[@abstractartwithkriss]

You do mixed media with oils in a different way to me . My channel is new and I hope you like what I do

[@attheranch873]

The music is very irritating

[@chrisgriffith1573]

Oh, I hope you gesso'ed your paper... did you? The oil content of the paint will not like cellulose...

[@jamiegossett]

how about 30% cold wax, 30% Galkyd, and 40% oil paint.

[@eBookHoarder]

👀

[@jamiegossett]

brayer not bryar. bray like hay. not bry like fry.,