Williamsburg Wax Medium 473 ml can — beeswax, damar & linseed for satin finish and increased translucency

Williamsburg Wax Medium is a professional artists' medium of beeswax, damar resin and refined linseed oil that increases paint transparency and yields a satin, slightly buttery finish.

This 16 fl oz can of Williamsburg Wax Medium is formulated to alter oil paint handling and surface appearance without adding paraffins or microcrystalline waxes. Made in the USA by an employee-owned company with over four decades of paintmaking experience, it’s intended for controlled use to thicken paint, enhance glazing, and produce a soft satin sheen. Because it dries more matte than pure oil and contains natural resins, it’s used sparingly to retain desirable flow and drying characteristics.

How does this wax medium change paint handling and texture?

Adding a small proportion of Williamsburg Wax Medium gives oil colours a short, creamy body that is easier to sculpt and control. It slightly reduces tack and increases translucency, making it useful for scumbles and thin passages where a gentle drag is desired.

• Thickens paint subtly for buttery, sculptable strokes
• Reduces stickiness for smoother brushing and layering
• Enhances translucency for layered glazing effects
• Dries to a satin sheen rather than high gloss

What are the ingredients and are there any additives to avoid?

The formula blends pure beeswax, damar resin and refined linseed oil without paraffin or microcrystalline wax additives. That composition gives natural handling and a stable finish while avoiding petroleum-based waxes that some artists prefer to exclude.

• Beeswax for body and subtle matte sheen
• Damar resin to improve film formation and clarity
• Refined linseed oil as the drying oil vehicle
• No paraffins or microcrystalline waxes included

How should I use and store Williamsburg Wax Medium safely?

Use the medium sparingly—start with small ratios (a few drops to a small amount of paint) and increase only if needed for the desired feel. Store the sealed can in a cool, dry place away from direct heat and open flame, and follow standard ventilation practices while painting.

• Begin with low percentages in mixtures; adjust gradually
• Allow thicker passages adequate drying time—resin and wax alter cure speed
• Keep container tightly closed and store cool and dry
• Use customary studio ventilation and handle flammables carefully

Can I mix this with other mediums or use it for specific techniques?

Williamsburg Wax Medium blends well with oil colours and may be combined with other oil mediums when carefully tested. It’s especially suited to glazing, scumbling, and areas where a velvety satin finish and increased transparency are wanted.

• Mix with Williamsburg or other high-quality oil paints for glazing
• Combine in small amounts with stand oil or alkyds only after testing
• Ideal for scumbles, subtle modelling, and reducing gloss on highlights
• Test mixes on a sample panel before committing to a final painting

Who is this for: Williamsburg Wax Medium is made for professional and advanced hobbyist painters who want a stable, natural wax-resin medium to refine paint body, increase translucency, and achieve a satin surface without petroleum waxes. It’s well suited to artists working in layered oil techniques, conservators preferring traditional materials, and makers who value a handmade, USA-manufactured medium from an experienced, employee-owned paint company. Avoid overuse on grounds where increased wax could affect long-term flexibility; always test on representative supports and follow sound archival painting practices.