Save Money and Make Cold-Wax and Encaustic Mediums!

Hi friends! Sometimes I think I like making art supplies as much as I like using them. When you think of artists centuries ago, many had to know how to make their own paints and surfaces. It was part of the process and I think it is very satisfying to get back to our roots sometimes. I also like the money saving aspect. Cold wax medium is a versatile product that can be used with oil paint for structure as well as a final finishing coat for watercolor or gouache if you want to display a painting without glass, or paint a postcard and protect it. It’s versatile and expensive! A 4 oz jar of Dorlands wax will cost about $8, but you can make it for pennies on the dollar!

Encaustic medium is also expensive and even easier and cheaper to make. In today’s video I will show you how I made encaustic medium and cold wax medium so you can too! In future videos I will show you how I use these products. Let’s get to it!

Supplies (affiliate links used)

• Natural 100% white beeswax pellets: Amazon or Blick

• Damar resin crystals: Amazon or Blick

• *for cold wax only: Orderless mineral spirits: I used Mona Lisa: Amazon or Blick *You get 32 oz at Blick for less that 16oz on amazon. The wax and damar are cheaper on Amazon.

• I used a crock pot for melting my wax. This is an inexpensive one you could keep for this purpose. You can often find them at thrift stores. It is way easier than using a double broiler, but do supervise it. Be sure to work in a well-ventilated area away from children and pets.

Encaustic medium only uses 2 products: Beeswax for bulk and protection, and Damar to make it hard and glossy. The more Dammar you use, the harder and glossier the finish will be, but it may become brittle.

Encaustic Medium Recipe:

• 8 parts beeswax

• 1 to 2 parts dammar resin crystals

Directions: Melt beeswax fully, then dissolve the resin into the beeswax. Stir to make sure it is fully dissolved and pour into molds and let harden. *You may wish to strain out impurities from the resin (but they mostly sink to the bottom of the crock pot and you can avoid them.

Cold wax medium recipe. This makes a medium very similar to Dorland’s wax and just as good in my opinion.

Cold Wax Medium Recipe:

• 11 parts wax

• 1 part dammar resin crystals

• 11 parts odorless mineral spirits

Directions: Melt the wax in the crockpot, then add in the damar crystals and make sure they are fully dissolved. Turn off the heat and pour in the mineral spirits and stir. Ladle into clean airtight jars for storage. Let cool before using.

If you enjoyed this DIY you might also enjoy my DIY oil stick video. Oil sticks can be used with both of these projects and they are fun to make! Happy crafting!