Waxed Watercolors

A step-by-step guide to sealing a watercolor painting with wax medium.


How To Wax a Watercolor Painting:

  1. PAINT

Make sure your watercolor painting is finished and signed, because once you seal it with wax, you’re out of luck on making changes.

NOTE: While not a necessary step in the waxing process, some artists choose to use an Archival UV Fixative spray on varnish prior to waxing to further ensure the lightfastness of the pigments used in a painting. The lightfastness of the pigments used is the most important factor in preventing a painting from fading over time. Waxing does not provide any UV protection. Paintings should always be hung out of direct light.

  1. WAX

Apply a very thin, even layer of wax medium to the surface of the painting making sure to cover the surface entirely. You can use a disposable glove or lint free cloth to apply, or just use your finger (be aware there are chemicals in the wax that you may want to avoid contact with). You can seal both sides of the paper if it is a postcard/bookmark/journal page/other loose leaf painting. If the paper is or will be mounted on another surface like a wood panel, there is no need to wax the back.

  1. DRY

Allow the wax to dry completely which will depend on the type of paper, thickness of the coat you applied and the weather conditions in your location. It could take anywhere from 6 hours to a week or more to dry completely. It should not feel sticky or smear when it is dry.

  1. BUFF

Buff the surface by hand with a dry, lint free cloth or with a buffing pad on a rotary tool/Dremel to an even sheen.

  1. REPEAT

Repeat steps 2-4 for one or two more coats of wax. You can leave the last coat at a matte finish or buff to a sheen depending on the look you’d like.

Shown here is the waxed watercolor painting Old Town Market by Katy Smith, 9”x12” Daniel Smith Watercolors on Arches 140lb cold press paper mounted to a birch panel and framed in a plein air frame without glass or mat.

Thank you for taking the time to read about the waxing process. Please join the Facebook Group Waxed Watercolors to meet other artists who are using this same technique to preserve their watercolor paintings.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1682310445260277/?ref=share