Cold Wax & Oils: The Basics
Create rich, textured paintings with cold wax medium and oil paints,
even if you are completely new to the medium.
Do you love rich, layered paintings but feel unsure where to start?
Cold wax and oils can create the most beautiful textures and layers!
But when you are new to the medium, it can also feel a little difficult.
In this class, I guide you step by step through the basics, so you can stop guessing and start painting with more confidence.
You will learn how the medium behaves, how to build layers, which techniques to use and when, when to let things dry, and how to create paintings that feel textured, expressive and full of depth.
This is not about copying perfectly. It is about discovering what cold wax and oils can do, and finding your own way of working with them.
What you will create inside the class
During the class, we explore the techniques through three painting projects. Each one is designed to help you understand the medium in a practical, playful way.
Mini-Abstracts
A gentle starting point to explore colour, texture, mark-making and composition without pressure. These small pieces help you get used to the tools and the feel of cold wax and oils.
Lush Landscape
A layered landscape project where you learn how to create depth, atmosphere and interesting surfaces. We work with different drying stages, soft veils, scraping back and building the painting slowly.
Floral Flourish
A more expressive floral painting where everything comes together. We use texture, collage, gold leaf, marks and layers to create a rich, lively painting with your own personal touch.
If you have been curious about cold wax and oils, this class is a lovely place to begin.
We start with the materials and the techniques, and then paint some beautiful textured artworks.
Nothing too complicated, just step by step, with lots of room to experiment.
Watch the short video below to see what we create inside 👇
CLASS IS OPEN!
JOIN FOR $ 149
This is for You if:
✓ Want to try cold wax and oils without feeling overwhelmed
✓ Prefer step-by-step guidance with room for your own style
What You’ll Learn
✓ Choose your basic tools and cold wax techniques
✓ Build texture with palette knives and bowl scrapers
✓Create veils, marks, transfers and solvent effects
✓ Use powders, pigments, collage and gold leaf
✓ Complete three small-to-medium projects with confidence
Student Work
Look What You Can Create
Meet Your Instructor
Marina Teding van Berkhout
Cold Wax Artist & Instructor
Hi, I’m Marina, an artist and online teacher living in the south of France. I love creating textured, layered paintings with soft colours, unexpected marks and little surprises along the way. In my classes, I guide you step by step, but always with room to experiment and find your own style. My hope is that you feel encouraged, confident, and free to create paintings that feel truly your own.
CLASS IS OPEN!
JOIN FOR $ 149
yours forever
Testimonials that warmed my heart💚
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cold wax medium and how is it used in painting? +
Cold wax medium is a paste-like medium made from beeswax, solvent, and resin that you mix with oil paints to create rich textures, matte surfaces, and beautiful layers. Unlike encaustic (hot wax), cold wax medium is used at room temperature — no heat gun needed. Gamblin cold wax medium is the most popular brand. You simply mix it with your oil paints and apply it with palette knives and scrapers to build up stunning textured layers.
Is this class suitable for beginners who have never used cold wax? +
Absolutely! This class is specifically designed as a complete introduction to cold wax medium painting. I start from the very beginning — which tools to use, how to prepare your surface, how to mix cold wax with oils, and all the basic techniques. Even if you’ve never touched cold wax medium before, you’ll be creating beautiful textured paintings by the end of Module 2.
What brand of cold wax medium do you recommend? +
I use and recommend Gamblin cold wax medium — it’s excellent quality and widely available. Zest-it cold wax is another great option, especially if you prefer a low-odour solvent. In Module 1, I go over all the supply recommendations in detail so you know exactly what to buy.
Can I use acrylics instead of oils? +
This class is designed for oil paints with cold wax medium (Gamblin or Zest-it). Traditional cold wax medium is oil-based and not compatible with acrylics. If you prefer working with acrylics, check out my Cold Wax & Acrylics class where I teach similar techniques using Powerwax — a water-based cold wax alternative that works beautifully with acrylics!
What tools and supplies do I need for cold wax painting? +
You’ll need cold wax medium (Gamblin or Zest-it), oil paints, palette knives, a bowl scraper, a brayer, and rigid panels or cradled boards to paint on. The fun thing about cold wax painting is that we don’t use brushes! I give you a complete supply list with exact recommendations in Module 1.
How long does cold wax medium take to dry? +
Cold wax medium dries faster than oil paint alone — usually touch-dry within a day or two depending on the thickness of your layers. Understanding the different stages of dryness is actually a key part of the class, because certain cold wax techniques work best at specific drying stages. I cover all of this in detail!
Is cold wax painting only for abstract artists? +
Not at all! While cold wax medium is fantastic for abstract painting, it’s equally beautiful for figurative work, landscapes, florals, and portraits. In this class you’ll paint abstracts, a landscape, and florals — so you’ll see how versatile cold wax techniques truly are. Many of my students combine abstract backgrounds with figurative elements for stunning results.
How long do I have access to the class? +
Forever! Once you enroll, the lessons are yours for life. There’s no rush — work through the modules at your own pace, and come back whenever you need a refresher. Many students rewatch the technique demonstrations every time they start a new cold wax painting.
Cold Wax Medium & Oils — The Basics
by Marina Teding van Berkhout
