R&F Handmade Paints Forums

tania · 2012-05-24 19:24:04

Perhaps this isn't the right spot for this question, but I am hoping you all are the ones to help me. Some years ago I painted an oil painting using Dorland's Wax Medium with the paint. I had done this several times before and the paint film was fine, although soft. I don't remember what I did differently on the piece in question, but it is a dark piece and large parts of the piece have a white waxy bloom that develops over and over again. It wipes off with turps but then eventually comes back. It is about five years old now and this process still continues. I never sold the piece because of this issue but would like to know what it is and why it happens. Anyone know?

laura · 2012-07-09 14:48:45

I am sorry Tania, but I do not have expertise on cold wax mediums, however, the way we remedy bloom in encaustic is by gently heating the area until the bloom disappears, and often that will take care of the problem permanently. Perhaps you could give this a try - but make sure you do so with good ventilation since I don't usually recommend heating any materials that contain solvents, (and I believe the cold wax does).

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#1 2012-05-24 19:24:04

Oil Painting Bloom

#2 2012-07-09 14:48:45

Re: Oil Painting Bloom

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tania Member	Oil Painting Bloom Perhaps this isn't the right spot for this question, but I am hoping you all are the ones to help me. Some years ago I painted an oil painting using Dorland's Wax Medium with the paint. I had done this several times before and the paint film was fine, although soft. I don't remember what I did differently on the piece in question, but it is a dark piece and large parts of the piece have a white waxy bloom that develops over and over again. It wipes off with turps but then eventually comes back. It is about five years old now and this process still continues. I never sold the piece because of this issue but would like to know what it is and why it happens. Anyone know?

laura R&F Staff	Re: Oil Painting Bloom I am sorry Tania, but I do not have expertise on cold wax mediums, however, the way we remedy bloom in encaustic is by gently heating the area until the bloom disappears, and often that will take care of the problem permanently. Perhaps you could give this a try - but make sure you do so with good ventilation since I don't usually recommend heating any materials that contain solvents, (and I believe the cold wax does).
	Laura Moriarty Director of Exhibitions & Workshops R&F Handmade Paints laura@rfpaints.com