You use watercolor wax medium by evenly spreading it across the surface of your watercolor painting. The wax seals the painting and helps protect it.
While the provided reference only shows the application of wax as a sealant after a painting is complete, wax medium can also be used in other ways in the watercolor painting process.
Here's a breakdown of how wax medium can be used in watercolor painting:
Methods for Using Watercolor Wax Medium:
- As a Resist: Before you begin painting, you can apply wax (e.g., from a wax crayon or candle) to areas of the paper you want to remain untouched by the watercolor. The wax repels the water-based paint, creating interesting textures and effects.
- To Create Texture: Apply wax to the paper in patterns or random strokes before or between watercolor layers to build texture and add depth to your painting.
- As a Sealant (Cold Wax Medium): As seen in the reference, cold wax medium can be applied after the watercolor painting is finished to seal and protect the surface. This provides a barrier against moisture and handling.
Application Tips:
- Even Application (Sealant): When using wax as a sealant, ensure an even application to avoid patchy protection. Use a soft cloth or brush to spread the wax thinly and evenly.
- Experimentation: Wax's interaction with watercolor can produce unpredictable results. Experimenting with different application techniques and wax types is key to discovering unique effects.
- Layering: You can combine wax techniques with traditional watercolor methods, layering wax resists or textures between washes to create complex and visually appealing paintings.
- Consider the Type of Wax: Different types of wax (e.g., beeswax, paraffin, cold wax medium) will have different properties and effects. Choose the wax that best suits your desired outcome.
