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I love painting with gouache, particularly with the traditional gouache that can be rewet after it dries. That, of course, causes a bit of a challenge once you’ve finished your painting as it’s at risk of damage from water. This is where wax medium can save the day! Wax medium can protect your gouache paintings from water damage.
What is wax medium?
Wax medium is made of beeswax, mineral spirits and other ingredients which can vary by type of medium. Oil paints add it to their oil paint to make their paint thicker and more matte.
Protecting paintings
It can also be used as a matte varnish, which is how I use it to protect gouache paintings. I’ve also used it to protect acrylic paintings in sketchbooks. This is especially useful if you paint both sides of a page with acrylics. When the sketchbook is closed, the paintings, even when seemingly dry, can stick to each other, ruining your work.
How to use wax medium
Protecting your gouache paintings with wax medium is very simple. Make sure your painting is 100% dry before varnishing. Not just dry to the touch, but giving it several days to completely dry throughout. Watch the process on my YouTube channel.
First, take a bit of paper towel. You don’t need much – I usually just tear off a corner. Then I dip the towel into the jar, taking about a pea-sized amount of the medium. It’s fairly stiff – remember, it’s made of beeswax. If you’re just doing a little sketchbook painting, you’ll need even less.
Now rub the medium onto the surface of the painting. I generally do circular motions. I apply to the entire painting, then fold the paper towel to get a cleaner section and buff. You don’t want to see any texture or thickness from the varnish. Keep buffing until your painting has an even, matte, slightly velvety sheen. And that’s it – you’ve protected your gouache painting!
Keep in mind
Now, wax medium isn’t perfect. It’ll slightly darken all your values, so be aware, especially if you have a painting that is already leaning dark.. It also isn’t removable. If you apply too much, that isn’t a worry – just buff with a clean paper towel until you get it to an even, velvety matte sheen.
It also won’t completely protect your paper from water. It’s really meant to protect the paint itself from re-wetting from accidental splashes. It can also irritate skin, so consider wearing gloves while applying it.
Products
I have used a couple different versions – Dorland’s Wax Medium and Gamblin Cold Wax Medium. Both work in similar ways and they’re both at reasonable price points. Dorland’s Wax Medium seems to be easier to find on Amazon. The container lasts quite a while, especially if you’re primarily using it for smaller gouache paintings.
Amazon.com
Amazon.ca
Want more?
Looking for a gouache tutorial? Check out my post on how to paint a rose in gouache.
