Carole's works in oil & cold wax are inspired by the idea that all living things are connected and that we are spiritual beings having a temporary physical experience. She enjoys creating harmonious paintings on cradled boards that invite the viewer to explore the intricate layers of colors and textures. The process of applying layers of oil paint and wax and then uncovering previous layers through solvents or scraping, results in an interesting balance between surprising effects and deliberate design.
Carole has become a member of the online Cold Wax Academy, started by Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin. Their book Cold Wax (together with a jar of cold wax that she received as a gift years ago from her late painting teacher Adamo), is what started her working with this new technique. Here is Rebecca and Jerry 's definition:
Cold Wax Painting is not defined by subject matter nor the degree of realism or abstraction, Cold Wax Painting is unified by artists’ shared interest in experimentation, texture and the physicality of paint layers.
What is Cold Wax Medium?
Cold wax medium, or CWM, is an oil painting medium. It is composed mainly of natural beeswax, with a small amount of solvent (Gamsol) to soften it and other ingredients (alkyd resin) to aid in drying time. It has a soft, paste-like consistency at room temperature and dries to a matte surface. Unlike encaustic processes, it requires no heat to use it. Many luminous and unique effects are possible using CWM. It extends and adds body to oil paint, aids in drying time, increases transparency and workability, does not require special set-up or ventilation, and allows artists to build up textural effects and layers. Using CWM also allows the oil painter to dispense with concerns about traditional fat-over-lean rules for building up paint layers.
CWM may be used for traditional brush painting, but due to the thickness it adds to oils, many artists prefer to use palette knives, brayers, and squeegees to push, pull, and roll the paint. This thickness also means that the paint surface will hold textures applied by pressing, scratching, scraping, etc. with various tools. A semi-dry, tacky surface is receptive to mark-making and transfer techniques. Solvents can be used to selectively remove paint layers or to disperse powdered pigments on the surface.
CWM is compatible with oil based paints, pigment sticks, powdered pigments, powdered charcoal and graphite, and chalk pastels. Particulates like sand and marble dust can also be added to CWM.
Drying time for any particular mixture of CWM and oil depends on many variables, including the thickness of application, the color or type of paint used, the temperature and humidity in the air, and the type of support used. In general, a painting built up in layers would be dry to the touch within a few days to a week of finishing. Complete curing takes weeks or months.
Resources: www.coldwaxacademy.com and www.gamblincolors.com/cold-wax-painting
