Sealing gouache paintings with wax medium ✶ varnish and protect your gouache sketchbook or artwork
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- What's scarier than accidentally splashing water onto a gouache painting?!? I've been exploring different ways to seal gouache paintings and I finally found one I love.
Read more about my research and results here
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Dorland's Wax Medium
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I’ve used it for watercolor and never saw a problem. Good for cards you send in mail and protects from moisture and other wet problems that can occur with mail
Great idea regarding mailed cards!
Use it all the time on Watercolor. The directions tell you to let it dry and buff with soft cloth in a circular motion. That works great because it removes any excess wax and doesn’t leave lines. Good product. Thanks for your video❣️
Thanks for the info!
What kind of cloth did you use? I just made a painting for my husband as a gift and im so scared of ruining it. Did you use a small towel? An old t-shirt?
I love artistic painting tips on UA-cam and Pinterest, it doesn't matter how long ago (even in years) it was posted it is still completely relevant and valuable now.
This video gave me anxiety 😅😅 but I’m glad I found it because I’ve been looking for a fixative for a while! Can’t wait to try it! Thank you!
haha sorry!
This is exactly the video I wanted to see before buying this wax medium. So helpful!
There is a portion of damar in Dorlands and that is what actually slightly increases the perceived saturation of color. I like the end result better than fixative or matte spray varnish. I have some figural watercolour sketches that were coated years ago and they still look just fine.
I hope this information helps.
This is the first time I'm seeing this after finally looking up wax medium. When I tell you I was terrified when you first laid it on a finished painting! You would think it was my painting you were waxing over hahaha. Amazing video as always, Sarah!
Hello! I went looking for how to go about working with Dorland wax medium and found you! In my search for info, one person said to use a fixative first then the wax, but they in particular had coloured pencil in their mixed media painting, which I guess through experimentation had discovered the wax would smudge it.
But I followed your advice without having to use a fixative (which I was glad about because that would have been an extra step) and would like to add in my observations.
I used this on a large (11x17"/ A3~) poster design which I had used India ink, watercolour, and had done letters and details with gouache. It was done on cold pressed arches watercolour paper. The painting is also very dark.
My first advice would be to use a soft cloth that doesn't shed any fibres. Paper towel is too rough, and it flicked off bits of my gouache lettering (the yellow in particular). I tried using the cotton pads like what you had, but they started to pull apart, and I spent a bit of time scratching cotton bits out of the painting. And these bits were noticeable with the painting being dark. Part of this may of been because I had roughish cold press paper, and the size as well. I think the guy I previously mentioned used a cleaning/polishing cloth, the kind that I would describe as foam-like, so that might be a better option.
I found having a thick glob of the wax and dabbing it on the letters prevented any more flaking.
Also, when you mentioned in darkens the gouache, it did darken letters that had previously been vibrant and had higher contrast. I'll see what it looks like in the morning when it's all dry.
Another video I had watched the person used their fingers, which I ended up doing. If you've ever worked with beeswax you know it's hard to get it off your hands, and so was this. Blue Dawn dish soap finally did the trick.
Overall it's been a little experimental adventure, but I think it turned out alright!
Thank you for making this video, and I hope my thoughts are able to help others.
I love how this product works well for sealing my watercolor paintings. I have used the spray Fixatif as well & I didn’t really like it as well. That’s when I switched to the Dorland’s Wax. I am thrilled to see that you can use it for the Gouache paintings too, especially since I am about to try gouache for the first time.
It kindof amazes me how I can wander deep into your channel and find helpful info on questions I have right now. Thanks again for your curious mind and generous artful spirit - I’m going to order some of this and try it myself 👍
I've had success with Gamblin's Cold Wax Medium. Was informed of this by my instructor.
I heard a few people talk about this wax with watercolor and ordered some for my gouache paintings. Nice to see it in action, it confirms what I heard and read. Thank you for sharing.
I love it!
@@SarahBurnsStudio Super! I can't wait to start varnishing!
Great for watercolor!
Watercolor cards, Especially watercolor postcards you will be sending through the mail!
Works perfectly when using it for calligraphy on envelopes, boxes, and wrappings for packages!
Love this stuff❤️👍
Great to know it works on watercolor for postcards. Thanks!
Love the way the wax pumps up the contrast of the paintings Sarah. Must try this! TFS!!
Me too! I looked it in a variety of light and it brings out the depth of the colors more. It also dries completely matte if you don't buff it.
Love the last one the most especially the golden glow of the trees ❤❤❤
Thank you for taking one for the team! I laughed when you said that. This looks incredible, I gotta try it.
Thanks for taking one for the team! Impressive results!
Haha, it's been a great addition to my materials!
Thank you. I’m going to try this. Your testing was very thorough. When the water beaded up on the surface that “sealed it” for me 😉 Thank you for this demonstration. Really appreciate it.
It’s especially great for protecting sketchbooks pages
Thank you so much for posting this video. I have been thinking about how to seal watercolour or gouache and you demonstrated perfectly what the Dorlands wax can do. Much appreciated.
I'm using the same wax for my watercolours and gouache and works better than anything I know so far. I'm using palette knife first and then cotton pad with circular motion to remove if its too much of it on my painting than live it for night to dry. Great stuff!
I'll keep the palette knife idea in mind!
Amazing! This is what I'm.looking got to protect my Watercolor. This should work on Watercolor. Thank you! Much appreciated this..🥰
Glad it was helpful!
I am so glad I found your video! I’ve been wondering how to protect my watercolors, and have had several ruined sadly. I can’t believe I never used this!
Glad it was helpful!
This was exactly what I needed to decide how to seal my pieces! Thank you.
Found your video 3 years later. Didn't know this was possible. Thank you!!
This is genius!! It's also oddly satisfying to watch the process 😝
Oh wow that's really impressive!
the anxiety of watching you spill water on the painting XD!! but good to know this stuff holds up thanks for the video
Excellent video. That wax is pretty impressive. I often mix gouache and watercolor. I'll try it. Thanks for the demo.
I did not even start using it to protect my paintings from moisture! My paintings kept sticking to each other because at the time, I did a lot of mixed media with acrylic paint. But eventually, I continued using Dorland's even after I'd switched to strictly watercolors and then strictly gouache, because I just like that subtle sheen and the slightly heightened contrast.
I ran out of Dorland's a week or so ago, realized that my favorite art store doesn't carry it anymore 😱 and that it costs considerably more on German Amazon. Thankfully, I found another supplier and bought a 437ml tub that will hopefully last me a long time…
I found that if I actually want it to be more glossy than it is, I can just wait a day or two to let it dry completely, and then polish it with a soft cloth.
Hi! If you are in 🇩🇪, would you share where you found it and let me know if they sell it online? I am having a hard time sourcing it. Thanks in advance!
@@berolinastrassmann
Internet ou amazon.
I think the waxed finish looks awesome and it is great it protects too
I do too! I'll show more of it in future videos on a variety of surfaces.
Adding this to the art supply shopping list for next month THANK YOUUUUUU
Amazing demo! Thank you Sarah?
Thanks for sharing your research and experimentation Sarah! Never thought about having to protect the work in a sketchbook - but you are so right; what if you were caught in the rain or it was dropped into a puddle? So much beauty ruined! Will definitely be getting myself some of this thank you!
Glad it was helpful! I need to go back and seal all my sketchbooks :D
My experience was this: I used Arteza gouache and sealed with Dorlands. I used a light touch, a cotton cloth, and a good amount of wax, and waited 24 hours after paint application before applying the wax. All the colors except Lemon Yellow were fine. The Lemon Yellow definitely came off on my cloth, leaving streaks of green underpainting showing through on the painting, but the yellow didn't spread through the rest of the painting, Thankfully, this was in an area of grass and it didn't destroy the painting, but word to the wise is to practice this on a test sheet before doing it on your finished work. Also, note that Arteza is student grade gouache, not the best but very budget friendly.
Very good insights, thank you!
I do that for my watercolors painted on canvas treated with watercolor ground.It works really well.I like to use my hand to spread the wax this way I avoid fibers from the applicators to adhere to my paintings plus the heat of my palm melts the wax a bit and I can spread it more easily.
Hmm interesting! I got some on my hand and felt weird lol - but I might try that with my cotton gloves that I use for oil painting!
@@SarahBurnsStudio 😆it's wax
@@SarahBurnsStudio❤ I use this using a microfiber cloth (like the ones sold to clean the kitchen or clean glasses). They do not leave any threads or lint behind. They can be washed too, so there is less waste. I am on a quest looking at fixatives. I am testing Spectrafix on a mist bottle right now. It looks promising. I love the texture of a wax finish, though.
I learned something new. Thanks for your research on this.
Hi Carl! Glad it was helpful :)
Nice! Great work
I’m fairly new to gouache and have not been sealing my paintings. Thanks for the update! Question.. if the gouache is put into a frame with glass is it still necessary? I definitely want to try.
WOW! Thank You for this! ❤️🙏🏻🕊🌿🌻🕯🪶🎨
Hi Sarah ! I come back on this video to say I am grateful for the tip. I bought this wax after watching your demo. It works 😊
Yep! Its been great! I've also used it mixed with oil paint and its so fun
Fantastic Sarah-San. Wax on. Wax off.
This stuff looks really nice!!
Your art is absolutely wonderful as well!
Thank you for making this video and sharing the results... I'm ordering some wax now! Curious to see how this will work with watercolor and water mixable oils.
Nice! I'll be trying it with those as well.
Great video Sarah...thanks so much. Do you know if painting are displayed near sunlight if the wax softens or changes. Also I have buffed soft wax in the past...
I paint on a cradled Ampersand Aquabord with Holbein Acrylic Gouache. I like the look of the painting without a frame with a matte or satin finish. In the past I just used several layers of a spray fixative, letting the layers dry in between the next coating. I have a painting waiting to be sealed and giver to the person who commissioned the painting. Unfortunately they have changed the products and I'm hesitant to use product on my painting. Have you tried any other sealants for your paintings?
Oh wow I just tried this on my first painting business card thingy. I'm so excited with how well it works. Now I feel like I can hand these out to people and they will be able to take a little bit of a beating before they end up maybe being magnetized on a fridge or something 😂
That's a great idea!!
Hi Sarah thank you so much for sharing this info.
Thank you for this! I have been looking for a good fixative for my goache paintings. Hopefully, our local stores have this kind of fixative.
I use Dorlands to seal my watercolors mounted on cradled board. While it doesnt move MOST colors, I have experienced that it moved red on a painting of a deep red amaryllis so I'll spray a workable fixative on any heavy red first in the future.
Great idea! Thanks for sharing.
I love to buff it to a sheen, beautiful ❤️❤️❤️👍🎨🌹
Oh my, that is amazing! This and the great use for the medium in oil painting seem like very good reasons to get a little pot of it 🧐
I agree! I can't wait to mix it with oil!
Wow love it.
Thank you for sharing!! I'm doing some research to find the best varnish for my gouache paintings.
Do you know if this works the same on canvas panels? 😊
Do you mean the gouache or wax?
Thank you!!! This video was very useful!
Yay! I'm so glad I found your video. Thank you so much for posting this!
I'm new to gouache and just completed a piece that I will be putting up for sale at my local gallery. I wasn't sure if I should try a spray fixative. I read mixed reviews. Mostly negative. So I'll be running to Opus first thing tomorrow morning to buy some Dorland’s Wax Medium. I'm hoping that it works on my coloured pencil artwork as well.
Thanks again Sarah!
I hope your sale goes well!
Did it work well on the coloured pencil?
@@SarahBurnsStudio I'm bad at UA-cam apparently 🙄
The sale went really well. In the end I decided not to sell the gouache painting though. It grew on me so I decided to keep it. Sold a bunch of other illustrations and paintings though.
Does that happen to you? Do you get attached to some of your pieces and end up keeping them?
@@Erinba Hi! No...I haven't tried the Dorland's on my coloured pencil illustrations yet. I use Prismacolors and the odd Faber -Castell and have been too scared that the wax will cause the pencil to smear. I've just been spraying them with varnish instead, which I'm not a fan of. Smells terrible and the conditions aren't always right to do it outside.
Ok. I'll go do a text with the wax and pencils and post an update...
@@Erinba Update:
I do not recommend using the wax on coloured pencils. It changes and smeared the colours, as well as made a mess in the white/non coloured areas of the paper.
I had no idea you could varnish gouche! I just leave them ha I will be trying this
Can you use this on gesso primed canvas painted on with gouache ?
You're really talented. I love your beautiful artwork. And thank you for sharing this.
Thank you! Cheers!
Thank you for this video and your paintings are so lovely! Only thing is I live in Australia where we get extremely hot weather... I'm wondering if anyone experiences any problems with the wax melting?
No, I haven't been in any super hot environments though
Than you very internationalist started using gouache and was wonder what product to use to protect my artwork
Hi Sarah, I don’t know what I did wrong, but when I use cold wax to seal my sketchbook paintings, some of the color smooshes around, blurs and blends in an unpleasant way. Also, the pages of gouache paintings are transferring color from one page to another when I close the book and the paintings touch. This happens even when I only use a couple layers of gouache. I’m using Holbein gouache, waterproof ink and sometimes posca paint pens, in the etchr labs “perfect sketchbook” cold pressed watercolor book. The wax left a sort of bulky tacky feeling on the page so I buff the wax with a paper towel and I can see faint color on the towel. Can you help?
Hi Moegirl… it seems that even though this product states that is good for “all” kinds of color mediums is not compatible with things like acrylic… so not good with Posca ( even though it’s water based paint) check on all ingredients this product has.spirit mineral is a solvent included. So, if u mixed media be careful. Maybe lemon yellow has an ingredient that is not entirely water based. I hope this helps. 😊
@@yaritzagilbert5808thanks for the reply. Any ideas how to avoid the pages sticking together? I’m using Jackson’s brand cold wax medium.
ur paintings r so nice! hehe
Thank you! Cheers!
Would this process be considered making the painting archival? Thank you.
Archival is more in depth, it takes into consideration the type of paper (acid free), colors (lightfast) and anything related to how quickly it ages or it’s protection. But at least the wax stops anything from activating the gouache and protects it more. But even the wax can get scratched so it’s not as final as a varnish or glass would be
Thank you SO much for this info! I didn't know you could use Dorland's Wax Medium. I would definitely prefer Dorland's compared to toxic aerosol fixatives.
I am loving it. I've sealed all my gouache sketchbooks with it, plus several framed pieces.
What about a gouache on canvas that you plan on selling, canvas no glass on top, would this medium be appropriate for this situation ?
that was a fun.. again, again! did you try applying with a brush? maybe a soft sponged brush?
So far I've used the soft cotton pad, a paper towel, and a old cut up t-shirt, they all work well but for bigger pieces I liked the t-shirt because I could load up the wax and go for it! :D
@@SarahBurnsStudio sounds like i would go with the tshirt. i wonder if this could be good for colored pencil or water color.
Excellent!!
Can this also be used on wax pastels (neocolour 1)?
Thank you for this helpful video!!
Do you need to buff it after application?
Thankyou so much for the video! This helps my curiousity of wax varnish 😆
I was about to pick between this dorland’s wax or talens gouache protecting spray. But unluckily i can’t found the dorland’s on my locals online shop ;-;
Also i have some question, have you tried a gouache protecting spray before? Thanks ^^
No I've only used Dorlands
Welp, I’m sold. I personally like how it very slightly saturates the colors.
Hello there. 😃
Thank you so much for this video. ❤
Two quick questions:
1. ¿How long do you have to wait for it to dry in order to close the sketchbook?
2. ¿Does this HAS TO to be buffered after it dries or can it be left just as is?
Thank you for your help! ❤
1. I just leave mine drying overnight, I haven't timed it specifically
2. I do not buffer mine, I just apply very thinly to begin with
@@SarahBurnsStudio Thank u SOOOOO MUCH for answering me, I REALLY appreciate you took the time to write me back! 🥰 I will order one right now!!!!
Is there any sort of tacky feeling after the wax dries? I’m wondering if there’s any chance of it leaving a residue on a scanner, and if it would be best to scan a gouache piece before sealing it... 🤔 The richness the wax ads is really nice.
None at all - it's completely smooth and dry. Maybe if you add too much there could be..extra? But it's pretty obvious as you're doing it how much you need.
Is it good for Metallic guache ...planning on selling my art ..also wonder if it's durable? Thanks :)
Is interesting the change of value with the wax on it, but I wonder if it looks like when the gouaches were still wet/freshly painted or differently. I totally going to use it.
When it dries I don’t notice any difference
Amazing! I'm gonna keep this in mind for future paintings! I wonder if the color changes over time. If it gets more yellow for example. 🤔 Might have to do some research! ☺️
So far it hasn't changed mine at all.
@@SarahBurnsStudio Thank you, that's great news! ☺️
That is really cool. Thanks for sharing. Hopefully I’ll have paintings worthy of waxing someday. Lol
They will be!
Wow!!! Something I have been looking for a long time! Thank You! ❤️ I was wondering if the wax would leave any kind of texture on the painting?
I believe so, if you are careful when applying. You might need to make sure it's at least room-temp before applying to a super textured painting to make sure it's soft enough to get in all the grooves.
Interesting. So I have to order some Vax, when I buy/get the gouache.
Unless you want to frame it under glass.
I think the same applies to watercolor pieces?
It works with watercolours exactly the same if you don't mind this little shine on your paintings :)
Yep, works great!
thank you for sharing! I'm definitely going to try it :)
I tried this on some gouache paintings and I have to say that I did get some lifting. Didn’t mess up the painting but I think I was buffing it like a crazy person - so I would say don’t scrub it like I did.
I’m still going to continue to use it.
Oh good to know! I haven't buffed them that much, I really like how it looks with just a thin coat and a tiny bit of buffing.
Hi Sarah,I want to ask you: how do you paint landscapes with a lot of details{ specially rocks and pebbles},do you draw one by one or what? AND what is your advice for simplifying complexe landscapes that contains a lot of detailsin in general?
Go check out my Skillshare classes on those exact topics 😄 use my link in any of my videos to watch for free. Cheers
Wow. Super helpful. I wonder how similar Dorland’s is to Gamblin’s wax.
I use the Gamblin on my watercolor paintings. Gamblin has no smell where as the Borland does which bothers me. You might not notice it.
I didn't smell this product at all. Maybe my nose is desensitized. But I don't think so, since usually the slightest chemical smell bugs me.
If you go to my blog and scroll down to the research part, I posted a link to a blog that did a comparison of a ton of the wax mediums (mixed with oil though, so different process)
Does that varnish help protect the gouache from the sun? I use himi gouache and they have no information that they have good resistance to the sun.
No I don’t think it has any UV protection
Hello~ Thanks for the video! I just got some of this wax today. Wondering if you also use this on your larger finished pieces, and if so, do you photograph the pieces before you wax them? Does the wax make it harder to photograph or scan?
I photograph before.
@@SarahBurnsStudio Thanks!
Important to remember! In my opinion gouache without varnish is ideal for scanning / photographing compared to e.g. colour pencils, acrylics, oil, because gouache paintings are totally matt without shining and full of colour. But I'm glad I found this video! The only problem seems to be, where to get the product. I've already started to seek recipes for home made if I don't find any.
Awesome work! I've been looking for a way to varnish my work. I use gouache and polychromos pencil. Do you think this medium is safe to use on top of the pencils?
I don't see why not as long as your material is stable? It basically just creates a thin layer of wax on top
@@SarahBurnsStudio wow you're fast! Thanks, I'll try
This is very helpful, thank you! I’m also curious if the wax can help to prevent condensation if the painting is place against glass with a frame? Thanks
To prevent condensation inside a frame the only thing you really need to do is make sure there is SPACE between your art and the glass.
@@SarahBurnsStudio thank you! This is helpful
Awsome!!!
Hello, I have this Sennelier's Opera pink that is not at all lightfast I love the colors although it is sad that I won't be able to display it. Do tell me if this varnish can protect the colour from fading away when used it in a display piece?
No, it doesn't stop non-lightfast colors from fading
@@SarahBurnsStudio ah bummer but thank you for informing me! Do you know any fixative or varnish that could do that?
@@saujanyaroy4942 Sorry I don't!
thank you 💖
thank you!
Lovely work. What sketchbook are you using?
Seawhite of Brighton watercolor sketchbook
Does the wax like come off if u touch the painting ? Like any residue ?
Not if you use a thin enough layer. You really don't need much.
If you were to make art prints with it would the sheen be picked up in the scanning process?
It's completely matte
Wow I was so nervous when you poured the water…lol. But that wax seems amazing. I’m new to gouache and was wondering if you think this will hold up to the wear and tear of a journal. I want to paint journal covers in gouache and seal with this wax? In your opinion do you think it will provide enough protection?
Honestly I’m not sure because that involves more wear and tear so it might mean you need to reapply once in a while like if it gets scraped
@@SarahBurnsStudio thanks!
I have what may be a stupid question. Could you paint on top of this? I'm a new dabbler, and just had an accident, where the gouache got wet, and messed up a spot, so I started looking for something to seal b/t layers, if that is even possible. What say you?
Hmm…I never thought of that or tried it. BUT I think the gouache would struggle to stick to a waxy surface. My guess is that it would sort of bead up on the surface. You could maybe scrape away the part you want to paint on top of if it’s small?
@@SarahBurnsStudio Thank you for responding. I'm going to try it, and find out. Will try to remember to report back.