these, at first, look marvellously, structurally heavy, then the light detail pulls you in like the blue planet. Are the colours more vibrant in the flesh?
Thanks Scottie. The colours aren’t more vibrant really, if anything, they’re slightly more muted. The surface is very matt. It is possible to ‘buff up’ cold wax paintings to a more glossy finish, but I dont do that usually. The finished pieces will have clearer, deeper, engraved marks and greater contrast because I will roll out the flat areas, incorporating the powder pigment (on the dark red areas) more thoroughly into the oil paint below, and I will re-score the marks.
Ah, I’m glad about that; the flatness adds solidity and grounds the work – if that makes sense.
I’ve played around with wax, in a very amateurish way, but these two inspired me to investigate the technique further.
By the way, looking at that stove from a dreary London makes me v jealous!
The wax I use is Gamblin cold wax medium, I buy it in big tins online from TNLawrence (uk). I learnt the techniques from Rebecca Crowell, American artist, who teaches at Ballinglen Arts Foundation in Mayo. Rebecca has a great website and blog, with lots of links and tips and homemade recipes etc. I love the way it speeds up drying, allows layering/transparency/experimentation
Yes, I’m a great one for a real fire! Stove in the studio and a range and 2 stoves in the house
Be well, keep warm! Liz
Thanks for the info.
we’re considered weird here; no central heating & two coal stoves (not very environmental I suppose…)
donegallizdoyle 
these, at first, look marvellously, structurally heavy, then the light detail pulls you in like the blue planet. Are the colours more vibrant in the flesh?
Thanks Scottie. The colours aren’t more vibrant really, if anything, they’re slightly more muted. The surface is very matt. It is possible to ‘buff up’ cold wax paintings to a more glossy finish, but I dont do that usually. The finished pieces will have clearer, deeper, engraved marks and greater contrast because I will roll out the flat areas, incorporating the powder pigment (on the dark red areas) more thoroughly into the oil paint below, and I will re-score the marks.
Ah, I’m glad about that; the flatness adds solidity and grounds the work – if that makes sense.
I’ve played around with wax, in a very amateurish way, but these two inspired me to investigate the technique further.
By the way, looking at that stove from a dreary London makes me v jealous!
The wax I use is Gamblin cold wax medium, I buy it in big tins online from TNLawrence (uk). I learnt the techniques from Rebecca Crowell, American artist, who teaches at Ballinglen Arts Foundation in Mayo. Rebecca has a great website and blog, with lots of links and tips and homemade recipes etc. I love the way it speeds up drying, allows layering/transparency/experimentation
Yes, I’m a great one for a real fire! Stove in the studio and a range and 2 stoves in the house
Be well, keep warm! Liz
Thanks for the info.
we’re considered weird here; no central heating & two coal stoves (not very environmental I suppose…)
Uh oh. I feel a poem coming…
Oh great!! The best response! Thanks Jeff 🙂