Cold Wax + Oils
Painting with Cold Wax Medium & Oils
Your complete guide to cold wax painting
Cold wax medium is a soft, buttery wax you mix with oil paint to create rich, matte layers and sculptural texture. It slows you down in the best way and opens up endless possibilities for scraping, layering, and mark-making.
Matte Texture
Velvety, matte surface that softens glare and highlights every mark and texture
Deep Layering
Supports scraping back, reworking, and building rich layers without overworking
Mixed Media Friendly
Combine with collage, pencil, ink, dry pigments, and more for unique effects
Expressive Mark-Making
Use brayers, scrapers, wedges, and palette knives for bold, textured surfaces
Getting Started with Cold Wax
Everything you need to know about cold wax medium and how to begin
What Makes Cold Wax Special?
- Velvety, matte surface that softens glare and highlights texture
- Supports deep layering, scraping back, and reworking without overworking
- Great for mixed media: collage, pencil, ink, or dry pigments
- Works beautifully for abstract, figurative, and landscape painting
Simple Starter Mix
Begin with a 50/50 mix of cold wax medium and oil paint. From there, adjust to taste:
- More wax → softer, more matte, more transparent
- More oil paint → richer color, slower drying, smoother glide
- Build in thin layers and let each set before adding the next
Free guide
Free Art Supply Guide for Oils & Cold Wax
Not sure what materials you need? Download my free supply guide with my personal recommendations for oil paints, cold wax mediums, tools, and surfaces to get started.
Learn to Paint with Cold Wax & Oils
Step-by-step video classes where I walk you through color, layering, and composition so you can create confident, expressive paintings.
Free Videos on YouTube
Watch me paint with cold wax medium and oils — tips, techniques, and full painting demos.
Cold Wax & Oils Painting Demo
Cold Wax Techniques & Layering
How to Make Your Own Cold Wax Medium
Cold Wax Medium Tips & Tricks
Tips & Tutorials
Read more about cold wax techniques, supplies, and inspiration on the blog
Explore Techniques
Discover different ways to paint with cold wax medium
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a difference in cold wax medium per brand?⌄
Yes. Each brand has its own balance of wax, resin, and solvent, so the feel, transparency, and drying time can vary. If you find one you love, stick with it for consistency in your layers.
Can I make the cold wax medium myself?⌄
Yes, you can make it with beeswax, damar resin, and odorless mineral spirits. Work with low heat, good ventilation, and no open flame. Many artists still prefer a trusted brand for consistency.
Is cold wax painting only for abstract painters?⌄
Not at all! Cold wax is great for abstract, figurative, and landscape work. You can paint loose and expressive or refine details after the layers set.
How long does a cold wax painting take to dry?⌄
It depends on the wax-to-paint ratio, pigment, and thickness. Thin layers can be touch-dry in a few days, while thicker passages may take weeks. I let work rest before framing or varnishing.
Can I keep the cold wax mix for a couple of days?⌄
Yes. Store it in an airtight container. It may separate, so give it a good stir before use and keep it away from heat.
What are your favorite drawing tools?⌄
I love water-soluble graphite, charcoal, Stabilo All pencils, and Neocolor II crayons for drawing into the waxy layers.
What are your favorite texture tools?⌄
Silicone wedges, palette knives, brayers, old credit cards, and stencils are my go-to tools for building texture and carving back into layers.
Ready to Start Your Cold Wax Journey?
Join hundreds of artists discovering the magic of cold wax medium and oils.