Cold Wax and Oils Demonstration Video

Anne — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 00:25:14 +0000

Come on in and join me in my sun room as I demonstrate painting with cold wax and oils. It’s a cold February morning when I sit down to start this contemporary cold wax painting. In fact, much too cold to be in my garage studio where I do the majority of my work. So, I lug in the easel,paints, canvas and palette and go to work on the painting using only a palette knife as my brush.

Over these past years, I’ve tested many different mediums to find out what works best to express my artistic vision. I was first introduced to cold wax at a local art exhibit where an abstract painting caught my eye. It looked like oils, but not quite. How did the artist get the texture and the ability to sketch into the medium? After some research, I soon found cold wax to be a great counterpart to my encaustic work. Whenever I need a break from the heat, I switch it up and cool down with cold wax. Or, in this case, to escape a cold art studio! In addition, I feel safer bringing this medium into my home compared to a blowtorch and molten beeswax!

The painting was inspired by the moody blues and grays of winter scenery here in Loudoun County, Virginia. Winter is one of my favorite times of the year to paint dramatic bare trees against clear blue skies. I’ve tried to capture in this painting the time of year when we yearn to be inside in front of a cozy fire as the icy winds blow outside. I contrast warm browns against cool blues in this piece, “Winter Pond” with coldwax and oils using a palette knife on 18″x24″ gallery wrapped canvas. This painting is a part of a winter landscape series I’m creating for an upcoming show in Loudoun County, Virginia.

For those interested in starting cold wax painting here are some tips. Mix equal parts of oil paint and cold wax medium for a good consistency. Wood panels are preferable due to their sturdy structure to hold up to manipulating the paint, but canvas will work with a light touch. Give the painting a final coat of medium and buff when dry for a soft sheen. I love this brand of cold wax medium and palette knives:

In the spirit of full disclosure and transparency, these items contain links to vendor affiliate programs. This means that when you decide to purchase the item through the link that I’ve provided, I may receive a small commission with NO ADDITIONAL COST to you.

Outerbanks Landscape Painting

admin — Sat, 02 Sep 2017 19:07:59 +0000

I’m always a little sad in September. The turning of the leaves and crisp morning air means fall is coming to Virginia. My spirit longingly desires to be back at the Outerbanks, North Carolina where the smell of salt water permeates the air. Fall is a time when I try to recreate summer moments from favorite vacation photos or the images locked away in my mind.

“Descending Dusk” is just such a painting. However, I never made it to Mantel, North Carolina, where the photograph I used for inspiration was taken. My dear friend posted this image on Instagram and with her permission, I knew immediately I had to paint it.

This view from the bay just after sunset portrays that sleepy, cozy feeling you get at the beach when the day has ended and all creatures great and small are making their way back home after a lovely day in the sun. A warm blanket of dusk falls upon the landscape. You can imagine hearing the sounds of locust buzzing, seabirds calling, and a faint hum of a passing boat. Beachgoers slowly drag their beach gear up the dunes and back home with visions of a shrimp dinner in their heads.

“Descending Dusk” is a cold wax mixed media painting on 20″x20″x1.5″ gallery wrapped canvas. I like to make a textured underpainting of acrylic medium before applying the wax. You can see here how I used medium with a stencil to create the numbers and letters. Vintage french dictionary text and more number images are added to emphasize the theme of descending day and time.

Next, comes the cold wax application with a palette knife.

Since this painting was created using a palette knife exclusively, it is rich in texture and movement. You can see how the paint builds up on the canvas layer after layer and I’m able to scratch into it with a sharp tool for added visual texture.

The final piece beside the original photograph shows how cold wax medium can add great visual texture to landscape paintings.

This piece will be exhibited in a local art show this month. Contact me for more information if you are interested.

cold wax – Anne Stine Fine Art

Cold Wax and Oils Demonstration Video

Did the information in this blog get you interested in trying cold wax medium? Would you like more art in your inbox? Subscribe to my newsletter and keep up-to-date on upcoming classes, art events, newly released artwork and more demonstrations and tutorials.

Subscribe to my newsletter for up-to-date studio news!

Outerbanks Landscape Painting