I love this wax medium to protect my watercolor paintings, however I have noticed that it blocked the shimmer of Daniel Smith’s Amethyst Genuine after sealing. I’m not sure if it does the same for metallic paints as they are a bit different than the Primatek paints. I would highly recommend doing a test run on swatches of any shimmery paints before sealing to see how it affects your particular paints. I had to redo the card where I used Amethyst Genuine and not seal it so the shimmer would be visible. Just wanted to throw that out there!
I had the same experience with the LMA dual tone pigment powders--the wax dulled the shimmer right out. I had better luck with the primatec paints, but there was still some dulling with those as well.
The wax interferes with the lights ability to refract with inference and shimmers as they are transparent. But I haven’t had an issue with metallics , Watercolors as they are opaque.
I have been doing that with my watercolours for a long while, I also spray with a UV varnish first to add extra UV light protection. I fix my paintings to a board with gel medium and then I hang without glass. Not purist, but a different way to protect and display watercolours.
I recently just tried this same thing and am loving it. I also sprayed with UV varnish first as I’d added some water soluble mixed media marks on top of the watercolor, which would have smeared when applying the wax. The varnish then sealed the marks before I applied the wax. I mounted them on a board just as you did and was able to wire them for a gallery show. Way better than behind glass in my opinion.
I went out and bought Dorland's Wax after my son's dog was in my office and licked a Christmas card I made in September LOL! I then used it when giving my 2 year old granddaughter's Halloween cards and other paintings that they want to put on the fridge. They are always holding them! Love this stuff it is very protective and easy to use. I just use my fingers to apply. I've not buffed it after drying to get it shiny. I'll check that out next time. Thanks Sarah!
⚠️ This is very toxic. Don't breathe it, if you are asthmatic and also be very careful if you are epileptic, it can cause epileptic seizures. Don't forget to wear a mask and gloves. Notice that it don't disolve well if you have it on fingers and wash, a residue could still on your fingers. In any case, work beside or in front of an open window. Because I got epileptic seizures using it, it disgusted me to use it again. 😒 I bought that pot by amazon and it came without notice.
I'm glad you shared this. I've always worried about my watercolors getting ruined when given to others. So many good comments regarding application methods and buffing!
I bought this at the suggestion of some UA-cam artist,but I’ve never used it and didn’t know how to…. thanks for the info! I’ve now subscribed and look forward to sealing and buffing. 😊
I've also seen wax used over address sections of a mailing envelope to protect the ink from becoming smeared or washed away by rainfall, dew, etc. If you use a ballpoint pen, there's no worry of the addresses becoming unreadable, but if you use inks, markers, etc., it's a handy trick--much better than covering the address with packing tape. It's also great if you're sending mail overseas--when my husband was deployed I always covered the "To" and "From" sections with packing tape (didn't have wax available back then).
@@nancedeichman5757 Years ago I saw a video showing this kind of wax used over dried alcohol ink swatches and it was stunning, almost 3D effect. BUT, I have absolutely no idea about using it with Distress or Oxide inks. Just in case, you might want to go to the top of the comments and enter your question as a brand new comment so it doesn't appear under my comment and will instead go straight to Sarah Cray--she seems very, very knowledgeable and may have an answer to your question. Good luck!
Love this product. You made me think about what type of cloth I use to apply and buff. It seems a lot of things come with a little cloth, to clean lenses and screens. I have so many I've tossed in a box to save. I wonder how that fabric would work in this application. I don't think it has lint which is why it comes to clean glasses?
This is a real eye opener, didn't know this was an option for protecting watercolor pieces. Just wish I'd known about it before sending out my watercolor Christmas cards. Will be ordering this immediately for all of my future card making, and that's a lot.
I like using Kamar Varnish. Simple, easy spray without a lot of work. Just make sure you're in a well ventilated area. Again, quick, easy, no work... ❤
I may try this as it's more cost effective than what I've used in the past which is Tim holtz micro glaze. I always figured someone else sold it for less. One tip is that i also used the micro glaze over my addresses on the envelope. Some got wet on the way to their destination & without that the ink would have smeared making the address illegible. Due to the glaze they arrived safely
I have used Dorland's Wax successfully on my gouache paintings. The first time I nearly hyperventilated because gouache reactivates so easily. However, I make tiny paintings when I'm practicing (still learning) so it wouldn't have been a great loss if it smeared. Well, it didn't budge! The only thing that happened was a little bit of the indigo blue paint colored the paper towel. Now I totally trust it. And Jacquard does make excellent products. :)
❤Thank you for sharing, Sarah. I made cards for each of my family members last year but I didn’t know about the protectant wax. I have a number of chronic illnesses which keeps me homebound most of the time so I was going to paint their cards this year because I’m not able to give any gifts. I have some cards made but they all have mess ups on them. We have to do Christmas on the 22nd which is also my nieces birthday for reasons we cannot avoid. This gives me only 3 days to try to paint something simple yet special however I awoke this morning really unwell. Will at least try to do one for my niece’s Christmas and I have a birthday card my sister picked up for me. I hope your family has a beautifully blessed Christmas. Sorry for yakking so long. I rarely comment though. I am so thankful to have found you. I’ve watched them back to 5 or 6 years stated by some of them. 🙏🏻❤️🎄🎅🏻
Thank you so much Sarah, I really really enjoyed watching you talk about Dowland wax medium. And I’m very impressed with your style and you too. I’ve subscribed and given you a thumbs up too
I paint / calligraphy envelopes I make using mostly cellulose watercolour paper. Often the ink I use is waterproof, but not always, but the paint needs protection. Cheapest, easiest method I’ve found is petroleum jelly or Vaseline. Gently rub all over with finger tip … AFTER you’ve added stamps! You can prop up (I use a toast rack) and leave to absorb for a day or speed up absorption process by melting Vaseline into paper with a hair dryer. Gently “polish” off any excess with paper towel if necessary.
Love this product!! It works great and is easy to use. Have you done a tutorial on the card with the sleigh and packages?? I'd love to see one (could not find it so maybe not yet??) Thank you so much!!
Yes, that project is a project included in our Season's Greetings Digital Card Making Box. You can check it out here: www.letsmakeart.com/products/seasons-greetings?_pos=1&_sid=d07aa157e&_ss=r
can you do this on coloured pencils or w water soluble wax crayons (like Caran d'Ache Neocolor ii)? im assuming not, cz both coloured pencils and art crayons are wax based... ty
I made a bunch of bookmarks for wee Christmas gifts and have been laminating them to protect them. I'm not that keen on the plasticy finish though. Does anyone have experience with using wax as a protector on thinks that are regularly handled?
I used Dorland’s on a 16x20” for my first time using it. I gave an original painting to a family member and did a float frame mount, and didn’t want to put glass over it so as to avoid reflections from interfering with the intensity of the watercolor image from any angle. When I applied the wax, I tried to keep the area clean, but still got lint into the wax from… who knows where. The lint probably won’t show up on painted areas, but will on the unpainted areas.
So will this smear if the paints are metallic watercolor? Also some of my cards have sparkles on them, do you think that will be a problem? I only have access to some Dorland Wax for one day then leaving for a week and taking the cards with me, so if anyone has an answer, I would appreciate it. TIA
@@BarbaraAnne51 I don’t think it would smear, but would likely dull the shimmer. I would leave them unwaxed, especially if you are hand delivering. The painting that I redid with the shimmery paint was totally fine when I mailed it without waxing it. Good luck!!
I have some nice paintings my mother essentially sealed with wax paper back in the 1970s. I think the process involved putting the wax paper from the grocery store on the art face down then heating it somehow--low heat iron or hair dryer, maybe. Student grade materials that seem to be pretty lightfast still. Personally, I'm wondering if car wax in minute amounts would work.
Do you know if you can then put it under glass to frame it, or will it stick to the glass and then be ruined years later when you try to remove it from the frame?
I've used a small "framing mat" under the glass to keep it off the glass just in case. So far it's ok. I haven't tried to take it out so I don't know if the mat will stick to it.
Hummm - why does a watercolor'd card need to be sealed? I can see sealing a postcard that was done with watercolors, but if the card is inside an envelope, why??
You can also use book covering protective plastic films, like Contact paper, that you can then run through a laminator to seal it on your painting. It makes your cards extremely robust.
Thanks so much. One extra suggestion is to do the final buffing with a coffee filter. It really glides over the wax surface. Super cheap, too!
I use coffee filters to apply it!
Did you try various methods of application?
I love this wax medium to protect my watercolor paintings, however I have noticed that it blocked the shimmer of Daniel Smith’s Amethyst Genuine after sealing. I’m not sure if it does the same for metallic paints as they are a bit different than the Primatek paints. I would highly recommend doing a test run on swatches of any shimmery paints before sealing to see how it affects your particular paints. I had to redo the card where I used Amethyst Genuine and not seal it so the shimmer would be visible. Just wanted to throw that out there!
I had the same experience with the LMA dual tone pigment powders--the wax dulled the shimmer right out. I had better luck with the primatec paints, but there was still some dulling with those as well.
So did you repaint, paint a new one, or just where your shimmery paint was?
@ I completely started over again on another piece of paper. I don’t think you can paint on top of the wax, but I haven’t tried it.
@ right I should’ve thought of that. Thanks for replying.
The wax interferes with the lights ability to refract with inference and shimmers as they are transparent. But I haven’t had an issue with metallics , Watercolors as they are opaque.
FYI, blue shops towels are lint free so great for this.
Yes blue shop towels wax on and coffee filters buff out
I have been doing that with my watercolours for a long while, I also spray with a UV varnish first to add extra UV light protection. I fix my paintings to a board with gel medium and then I hang without glass. Not purist, but a different way to protect and display watercolours.
I recently just tried this same thing and am loving it. I also sprayed with UV varnish first as I’d added some water soluble mixed media marks on top of the watercolor, which would have smeared when applying the wax. The varnish then sealed the marks before I applied the wax. I mounted them on a board just as you did and was able to wire them for a gallery show. Way better than behind glass in my opinion.
@ I agree, lighter to carry and less risk of damage in clumsy hands like mine, ha, ha.
Great idea, any resources for a demo of the process?
@ There are videos from UA-cam other creators, that’s where I learned it from. If you search for it you will find some.
@@lindablackerby9819 What type of board are you referring to? Thanks
I went out and bought Dorland's Wax after my son's dog was in my office and licked a Christmas card I made in September LOL! I then used it when giving my 2 year old granddaughter's Halloween cards and other paintings that they want to put on the fridge. They are always holding them! Love this stuff it is very protective and easy to use. I just use my fingers to apply. I've not buffed it after drying to get it shiny. I'll check that out next time. Thanks Sarah!
That's awesome
Oh dear! I’m so sorry 😢
⚠️ This is very toxic. Don't breathe it, if you are asthmatic and also be very careful if you are epileptic, it can cause epileptic seizures. Don't forget to wear a mask and gloves. Notice that it don't disolve well if you have it on fingers and wash, a residue could still on your fingers. In any case, work beside or in front of an open window.
Because I got epileptic seizures using it, it disgusted me to use it again. 😒
I bought that pot by amazon and it came without notice.
Do we know the long term effect of the wax? Like yellowing?
I'm glad you shared this. I've always worried about my watercolors getting ruined when given to others. So many good comments regarding application methods and buffing!
I use make-up sponges. Great coverage.
This is great; I make my own greeting cards and I don't bother sealing them. It's good to know this technique! Happy Holidays!
I bought this at the suggestion of some UA-cam artist,but I’ve never used it and didn’t know how to…. thanks for the info! I’ve now subscribed and look forward to sealing and buffing. 😊
👍🏻 I dedicate a flat wash brush for applying the wax, and then use a lint free towel for the circular rubbing/buffing on the surface.
I've also seen wax used over address sections of a mailing envelope to protect the ink from becoming smeared or washed away by rainfall, dew, etc. If you use a ballpoint pen, there's no worry of the addresses becoming unreadable, but if you use inks, markers, etc., it's a handy trick--much better than covering the address with packing tape. It's also great if you're sending mail overseas--when my husband was deployed I always covered the "To" and "From" sections with packing tape (didn't have wax available back then).
Brilliant idea, thanks! All my pretty pens tend to get smeared
So you can use this wax over Distress or Oxide inks?
@@nancedeichman5757 Years ago I saw a video showing this kind of wax used over dried alcohol ink swatches and it was stunning, almost 3D effect. BUT, I have absolutely no idea about using it with Distress or Oxide inks. Just in case, you might want to go to the top of the comments and enter your question as a brand new comment so it doesn't appear under my comment and will instead go straight to Sarah Cray--she seems very, very knowledgeable and may have an answer to your question. Good luck!
Love this product. You made me think about what type of cloth I use to apply and buff. It seems a lot of things come with a little cloth, to clean lenses and screens. I have so many I've tossed in a box to save. I wonder how that fabric would work in this application. I don't think it has lint which is why it comes to clean glasses?
This is a real eye opener, didn't know this was an option for protecting watercolor pieces. Just wish I'd known about it before sending out my watercolor Christmas cards. Will be ordering this immediately for all of my future card making, and that's a lot.
I NEED a Sarah Cray sketchbook tour now!!!!
Me too (new subbie)
I like using Kamar Varnish. Simple, easy spray without a lot of work. Just make sure you're in a well ventilated area. Again, quick, easy, no work... ❤
I love those cards! Great info. I haven’t painted in a year or so and want to get back into it. Thanks for the inspiration.
I may try this as it's more cost effective than what I've used in the past which is Tim holtz micro glaze. I always figured someone else sold it for less. One tip is that i also used the micro glaze over my addresses on the envelope. Some got wet on the way to their destination & without that the ink would have smeared making the address illegible. Due to the glaze they arrived safely
I have used Dorland's Wax successfully on my gouache paintings. The first time I nearly hyperventilated because gouache reactivates so easily. However, I make tiny paintings when I'm practicing (still learning) so it wouldn't have been a great loss if it smeared. Well, it didn't budge! The only thing that happened was a little bit of the indigo blue paint colored the paper towel. Now I totally trust it. And Jacquard does make excellent products. :)
Thank you for this useful tip. Question though, after using the wax, can a painting be put into a frame???
❤Thank you for sharing, Sarah. I made cards for each of my family members last year but I didn’t know about the protectant wax. I have a number of chronic illnesses which keeps me homebound most of the time so I was going to paint their cards this year because I’m not able to give any gifts. I have some cards made but they all have mess ups on them. We have to do Christmas on the 22nd which is also my nieces birthday for reasons we cannot avoid. This gives me only 3 days to try to paint something simple yet special however I awoke this morning really unwell. Will at least try to do one for my niece’s Christmas and I have a birthday card my sister picked up for me. I hope your family has a beautifully blessed Christmas. Sorry for yakking so long. I rarely comment though. I am so thankful to have found you. I’ve watched them back to 5 or 6 years stated by some of them. 🙏🏻❤️🎄🎅🏻
This stuff is the best!! I’ve been using it for years now and always love the results 😊
Thanks! It doesn't yellow at all?❤
I was gifted this product and had no idea how to use it, until now! Thanks Sarah Cray!! I am always using so much from you!!
This great for your sketchbook too.
Wonderful, I love the tip and the explanation and the postcards you seal!
Thank you so much Sarah, I really really enjoyed watching you talk about Dowland wax medium. And I’m very impressed with your style and you too. I’ve subscribed and given you a thumbs up too
It is nice on colour pencils
This is appreciated! I always worried about postcards, especially. Thank you!
Thank you so much for your video. Blessings for you sharing your knowledge. Have a wonderful Christmas and an awesome new year. ❤️
I will definitely get myself some of this stuff 👍🏼👍🏼
Thanks for this Sarah - I was wondering what to use instead of a spray. And, you also answered my question about UV protection....
Two questions: 1. Do you buff the wax after drying or curing? 2. Does the wax layer stick to a frame, if you do put it behind glass? Thanks
I paint / calligraphy envelopes I make using mostly cellulose watercolour paper. Often the ink I use is waterproof, but not always, but the paint needs protection. Cheapest, easiest method I’ve found is petroleum jelly or Vaseline. Gently rub all over with finger tip … AFTER you’ve added stamps! You can prop up (I use a toast rack) and leave to absorb for a day or speed up absorption process by melting Vaseline into paper with a hair dryer. Gently “polish” off any excess with paper towel if necessary.
Do you know if using Vaseline will cause the paper to "yellow" over time?
Love this product!! It works great and is easy to use. Have you done a tutorial on the card with the sleigh and packages?? I'd love to see one (could not find it so maybe not yet??) Thank you so much!!
Yes, that project is a project included in our Season's Greetings Digital Card Making Box. You can check it out here: www.letsmakeart.com/products/seasons-greetings?_pos=1&_sid=d07aa157e&_ss=r
Didn't know it was an application that could be used for other mediums. Thanks!
I just bought this to seal watercolor and was so worried it would pick up paint or smear. Thank you for this!
can you do this on coloured pencils or w water soluble wax crayons (like Caran d'Ache Neocolor ii)?
im assuming not, cz both coloured pencils and art crayons are wax based...
ty
Thank you so much that is awesome to know about this wax sealant so your precious painting is kept secure! Have a great day 🤗
Can this be used over colored pencils? What is the name of this wax and where can I buy it? Thanks for the tutorial.
It should work over colored pencils. The name is Dorland's Wax and you can get it on Amazon or your local art store.
I made a bunch of bookmarks for wee Christmas gifts and have been laminating them to protect them. I'm not that keen on the plasticy finish though. Does anyone have experience with using wax as a protector on thinks that are regularly handled?
I used Dorland’s on a 16x20” for my first time using it. I gave an original painting to a family member and did a float frame mount, and didn’t want to put glass over it so as to avoid reflections from interfering with the intensity of the watercolor image from any angle.
When I applied the wax, I tried to keep the area clean, but still got lint into the wax from… who knows where. The lint probably won’t show up on painted areas, but will on the unpainted areas.
Thanks, this was super helpful 🙏😊
Many thanks for this excellent info!! ❤
What about for granulating watercolor? I feel like it could rub off the granules....🤔
Would the wax leave residue if were used on a bookmark?
I make watercolor bookmarks to accompany gift books, but I use a white birthday candle to seal them. No trouble so far.
Will the wax dampen the reflective sheen of metallic watercolors?
So will this smear if the paints are metallic watercolor? Also some of my cards have sparkles on them, do you think that will be a problem? I only have access to some Dorland Wax for one day then leaving for a week and taking the cards with me, so if anyone has an answer, I would appreciate it. TIA
@@BarbaraAnne51 I don’t think it would smear, but would likely dull the shimmer. I would leave them unwaxed, especially if you are hand delivering. The painting that I redid with the shimmery paint was totally fine when I mailed it without waxing it. Good luck!!
Thank you for sharing this tip. Would any kind of wax work? Where I'm from we don't have access to many things
I have some nice paintings my mother essentially sealed with wax paper back in the 1970s. I think the process involved putting the wax paper from the grocery store on the art face down then heating it somehow--low heat iron or hair dryer, maybe. Student grade materials that seem to be pretty lightfast still. Personally, I'm wondering if car wax in minute amounts would work.
How does this affect metallic or shimmer paint? All the seals I’ve tried reduce the effect
I want to know this too!
Do you know if you can then put it under glass to frame it, or will it stick to the glass and then be ruined years later when you try to remove it from the frame?
I've used a small "framing mat" under the glass to keep it off the glass just in case. So far it's ok. I haven't tried to take it out so I don't know if the mat will stick to it.
Thank you for this video!
Will a postcard sealed with the wax create any problems with the USPS sorting/processing machines?
Not that we've experienced and we've been doing it for a few years for our Let's Make Art Matter postcards each month.
Does it work on canvas paints too? Thank you!
Where can you find this?
What kind of wax is that? What it's name? Where do I can get it? I belong from Pakistan but I never seen that wax which you were using on cards.
Dorland's Wax. There is a link in the description.
Does it act the same no matter the quality of WC paint?
thanks for showing this I usually use a matt spray thats just as good but I have to spray it outside everytime and it stinks
I never thought of doing this.
But the Dorland's Wax makes my paintings waxy to the touch....am I applying it on too thick?
Can this be purchased in any art shop?
It should be.
Do you get a wax haze on your painting after awhile?
Good to know that... Thank You !!!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2025 !!!
Watercolor mounted on canvas or wood cradle is protected with wax too.
Can also just spray with Krylon Workable Fixative spray from any art/craft store.
Strange i should find this as im just trying out some bokeh effect today! Thanks for the tutorial!
Can this work for colored pencils?
It should. We haven't tried it... so we recommend experimenting with a scrap piece of paper at first.
@ thank you so much, I’ll give it a try
Will the wax protect from or react to sunlight?
No
Would Vaseline work?
It seems like old cotton sheets, turn into rags, might be best for applying. But i wonder.
I found Daniel Smith’s version for 1/2 the price!, Amazon
has anyone used this on Neocolor II or Inktense?
Can you link the name of the wax please
Dorland's Wax
Dorland's Wax: store.jacquardproducts.com/products/dorlands-wax
I’ve heard from many folk to not use it on colored pencil or any wax based medium. It will melt and smudge wax based mediums.
Has anyone tried this with their marker illustrations?
Did you hear me? I’m talking to the video, “I can see the drops!!”
We heard you!😉
Hummm - why does a watercolor'd card need to be sealed? I can see sealing a postcard that was done with watercolors, but if the card is inside an envelope, why??
So they're not damaged.🥰
@@LetsMakeArt Ah - ok. Thanks.
Always use this, and I love it!
Also, many people keep the painting or display it.
You can also use book covering protective plastic films, like Contact paper, that you can then run through a laminator to seal it on your painting. It makes your cards extremely robust.
Can you seal it and frame it? Or will the was stick to frame glass?