Sign up for the WORKSHOP – March 20 (Friday) and 21 (Saturday), 2026 @ 10:00 – 3:30pm
Info: Cold Wax is a medium added to oils and is non-heated and a creamy beeswax substance. Have taught this Oil and Cold Wax 2-Day workshop over many years and found it is the perfect introduction into oils. Whether new to or more experienced with oils, working with this medium enhances your individual creativeness and skills in painting. When oil and cold wax are combined, it creates a great translucent effect that allows light to pass through the previous layers. Whether you are familiar with oils or not, the addition of cold wax into oils brings a whole new experience of using simple and diverse tools for an expressive way of painting. With chopsticks, spreaders, window squeegees, and other mark-making tools, you will give your painting a sense of history through its unique textures. And it’s a lot of fun! You will feel a sense of discovery and will be surprised by how this technique impacts your paintings.
During this workshop, you will learn how to:
- Layer oil paints and cold wax to create translucent effects for the revealing history.
- Watch as I demo using a limited palette and then help you develop your own color mixing skills.
- Choose your own subject matter, from landscapes to abstraction. And helping to see what your painting is telling you.
- Paint on different prepared backgrounds of paper and board that are prepped for you and allow you to try the many stages of oil/cold wax.
- Experiment with a variety of mark-making tools and learn tips for painting less but saying more.
- Students comment about the informative “before” and “after” discussions in class. Together, we talk about each of our paintings, discuss options in going forward and how our own style is important for our own voice.
This medium works quite well for those artists who take a process-driven approach to their art.
Travel: For those of you who are traveling from out of state, you can also experience the historic, quaint small town of Northfield, MN. The gallery is located downtown on Main St. and within walking distance of shops, restaurants and the river.
