Get Creative with Gamblin Cold Wax Medium on Watercolor: Tips and Tricks
I recently discovered you can use Gamblin Cold Wax Medium on watercolor paintings as a way to seal them so I tried it out. This non-toxic, professional quality product is a blend of beeswax and Damar resin and can be used with a variety of pigments. It provides a durable and protective layer for your painting, making it a great alternative to traditional framing and mounting under glass.
One of the things I love about Gamblin Cold Wax Medium is its versatility. It can be used for a variety of techniques, including creating encaustic paintings.
While it is made with mineral spirits, which are more volatile than mineral oil, I have not experienced any negative effects on my watercolors. In fact, I have found that it enhances the colors and adds a subtle texture to the surface of the painting.
Key Points:
- Gamblin Cold Wax Medium is a non-toxic, professional quality product
- It is a blend of beeswax and Damar resin, and can be used with a variety of pigments
- It provides a durable and protective layer for your watercolor painting, making it a great alternative to traditional framing and mounting under glass
- It can make watercolor paintings water resistant (from splashes)
- It is versatile and can be used for a variety of techniques, including creating encaustic paintings
- While made with mineral spirits, it has not had any negative effects on watercolors and can enhance colors and add texture to the surface of the painting
What is Gamblin Cold Wax Medium?
Gamblin Cold Wax Medium is a unique product that is often used in oil painting to make the paint thicker, but it can also be used in combination with watercolor. It is a mixture of beeswax, alkyd resin, and odorless mineral spirits (OMS) that creates a soft paste that is similar to the consistency of butter.
It is a versatile medium that can be used for a variety of techniques, including impasto, glazing, and encaustic painting. One of the benefits of using Gamblin Cold Wax Medium with watercolor is that it can create a protective layer over the watercolor that helps to prevent it from smudging or rubbing off.
It is also a great way to add texture and depth to your watercolor paintings. The wax medium can be applied in a thin layer with a brush or palette knife, and it dries to a matte finish that is similar to the look of traditional encaustic paintings.
When using Gamblin Cold Wax Medium with watercolor, it is important to remember that it should be applied in a thin layer to avoid over saturating the paper.
It is also recommended to use a varnish or fixative spray to protect your painting once it is dry and finished.
Overall, Gamblin Cold Wax Medium is a great tool to have in your art supplies, whether you are an oil painter or a watercolor artist. It can add texture, depth, and protection to your artwork, and it is easy to use and experiment with.
Using Gamblin Cold Wax Medium on Watercolor: Tips and Techniques
If you’re looking for a way to seal and protect your watercolor paintings without the need for framing, using Gamblin Cold Wax Medium might be the answer. Here are some tips and techniques to help you get started:
Prepare your surface
Before applying the cold wax medium, make sure your watercolor painting is completely dry. It’s also a good idea to clean the surface with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove any dust or debris.
Apply the cold wax medium
Using a soft, lint-free cloth (or microfiber cleaning cloth), apply a thin layer of the cold wax medium to the surface of your watercolor painting. You can apply it in a circular motion, making sure to cover the entire surface evenly. Be careful not to apply too much wax, as this can cause the colors to become muted.
Let it dry
Once you’ve applied the cold wax medium, let it dry completely. This can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on the humidity and temperature of your workspace.
Buff the surface
Once the cold wax medium is dry, use a soft cloth to buff the surface of your painting. This will help to bring out the colors and create a beautiful, glossy finish.
It’s important to note that using cold wax medium on watercolor paintings can alter the appearance of the colors slightly. The wax can make the colors appear slightly darker and more saturated, so it’s a good idea to test the medium on a small section of your painting before applying it to the entire surface.
Overall, using Gamblin Cold Wax Medium on watercolor paintings can be a great way to protect your artwork and create a different, finished look without the need for framing.
Benefits of Using Gamblin Cold Wax Medium on Watercolor
Since I started this blog I have loved to experiment with different mediums. I discovered the benefits of using Gamblin Cold Wax Medium on my watercolor paintings after reading about it on a forum and decided to try it out.
Here are a few reasons why I have come to love this medium:
Protection
One of the main benefits of using Gamblin Cold Wax Medium on my watercolor paintings is that it provides a protective layer. This means that my paintings are less likely to get damaged by moisture or dust.
Matte Finish
Gamblin Cold Wax Medium dries to a beautiful matte finish, which is perfect for watercolor paintings. It gives my paintings a soft, subtle appearance that I love.
Improved Texture
By adding Gamblin Cold Wax Medium to my watercolor paintings, I have been able to achieve a beautiful texture that I couldn’t achieve with watercolor alone. The wax adds depth and dimension to my paintings.
Overall, I have found that using Gamblin Cold Wax Medium on my watercolor paintings has been a game-changer. It has allowed me to protect my paintings while also adding depth and texture. I highly recommend giving it a try but as I mentioned earlier, try it on a small test piece so see if you like the results.
Gamblin Cold Wax Medium on watercolor paintings – Wrap up!
After using Gamblin Cold Wax Medium on my watercolor paintings, I have found it to be a great alternative to traditional framing and mounting under glass as well as spray sealants for watercolors.
The wax medium provides a protective layer against humidity and other environmental factors, while also giving the painting a unique texture and finish.
One thing to note is that the wax medium can slightly alter the colors of the painting, so it’s important to do a test patch before applying it to the entire piece.
Remember to also use proper ventilation and safety precautions when working with the medium, as it contains mineral spirits. No matter how safe the safety sheet can claim it to be, I never trust chemicals and I like to err on the side of caution.
Overall, I would recommend trying Gamblin Cold Wax Medium on your watercolor paintings if you’re looking for a different way to protect and display your work. It’s a versatile product that can be used with a variety of techniques and pigments, and can give your paintings a beautiful, unique finish.
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Joseph Colella is a frustrated artist with over 40 years experience making art (who moonlights as a certified Business Analyst with over 20 years of experience in tech). While he holds a Diploma in Information Technology, in true wasted talent style he spent years trying to get into various Art degrees from the Accademia di Belle Arti (Napoli), and failed to get into the Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts) at the University of Western Sydney. His goal is to attend the Julian Ashton School of Art at The Rocks Sydney when he retires from full time work. In his spare time, he writes for the this blog, WastedTalentInc, where he shares practical advice on art, making art, and art materials. Joseph’s art has been sold to collectors all over the world from the USA, Europe and Australasia. He is a trusted source for reliable art and copyright/fair use advice and is committed to helping his readers make informed decisions about making them a better artist.
He also loves all things watches (ok it’s an addiction) so show him some love and visit his other website https://expertdivewatch.com
