Beeswax Paste

Michael Harding PM4 Beeswax Paste is a medium used in oil painting to add body, texture, and a matte finish to the paint. It is especially useful for impasto techniques and for achieving a more controlled, sculptural application. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use this medium:

Materials Needed:

1. Oil paints
2. Brushes and palette knives
3. Palette
4. Michael Harding PM4 Beeswax Paste
5. Canvas or painting surface

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Prepare Your Palette:
   • Squeeze out the oil paints you plan to use onto your palette.
2. Add the Medium:
   • Place a small amount of Michael Harding PM4 Beeswax Paste next to your oil paints on the palette.
3. Mix the Medium with Paint:
   • Use a palette knife to mix the Beeswax Paste with your oil paint. Start with a small amount of paste and gradually add more until you achieve the desired consistency. The paste will thicken the paint and give it a creamy, buttery texture.
4. Apply the Paint:
   • Apply the thickened paint to your canvas using a brush or palette knife. The beeswax paste adds body to the paint, making it ideal for impasto techniques where you want to create textured, raised surfaces.
5. Build Layers:
   • You can build up layers of paint mixed with Beeswax Paste. Allow each layer to dry partially if you’re working on a large area, or keep working wet-on-wet for blending and smooth transitions.
6. Adjust Texture:
   • Experiment with the amount of Beeswax Paste to control the texture and body of the paint. More paste will result in a thicker, more sculptural application, while less paste will provide a subtle texture.
7. Finish and Drying:
   • The Beeswax Paste will give your paint a matte finish. Keep in mind that the medium will slightly slow down the drying time of your oil paint, giving you more time to work and manipulate the paint.
8. Clean Up:
   • Clean your brushes and palette knives with a suitable solvent for oil paints, such as MH Miracle Medium or turpentine, followed by soap and water.

Tips for Best Results:

• Experiment with Ratios: Start with a small amount of paste and adjust the ratio to find the right balance for your desired texture and body.
• Layering Techniques: Use the medium to create thick, textured layers, or blend it with less paste for smoother transitions.
• Matte Finish: The beeswax paste will give a matte finish to your paint, which can be desirable for certain effects and contrasts.
• Brushes and Knives: Use different tools to achieve various textures. Brushes can give a more controlled texture, while palette knives can create bold, expressive strokes.
• Storage: Keep the medium tightly closed when not in use to prevent it from drying out or becoming contaminated.

Using Michael Harding PM4 Beeswax Paste can greatly enhance the texture and dimensionality of your oil paintings, allowing for expressive, bold applications of color and texture.

Bleached beeswax, linseed stand oil, and double rectified turpentine