How to Use Wax Resist in Watercolour Painting
- Aug 21, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
One of the questions I'm often asked on workshops is:
"How do you keep those lovely white sparkles in a watercolour painting?"
There are several ways to do it, but one of my favourites is also one of the simplest—and cheapest.
Instead of reaching for masking fluid, I often use an ordinary white candle.
The wax creates a resist, preventing the paint from soaking into the paper. It's perfect for sparkling water, sunlight on waves, winter trees and anywhere you want to preserve the brilliant white of the paper.
The best part? You can start painting immediately. No waiting for masking fluid to dry, and no rubbing it off afterwards.
What is Wax Resist?
Wax resist is exactly what it sounds like.
By rubbing wax onto your watercolour paper before you paint, the wax repels the watercolour wash, leaving tiny areas of untouched white paper beneath.
Because the effect is permanent, it's worth planning where you want your brightest highlights before you begin.
When I Use Wax Resist
I find myself reaching for a candle when I'm painting:
sparkling water
breaking waves
grasses catching the light
snow
tree bark
textured foregrounds
It's a wonderfully expressive technique and one that beginners often overlook.
What You'll Need
One of the things I love about this technique is that you probably already have everything you need.
A white or cream household candle
(or a pale wax crayon)
That's it.
For more detailed marks, I sometimes sharpen the candle with a craft knife to create a finer point.
Five Wax Resist Tips
These are the things I've learned after using wax resist for many years.
1. Press more firmly than you think
The wax needs to be rubbed quite firmly onto the paper.
2. Don't draw underneath the wax
Once the wax is on the paper you won't be able to erase any pencil lines beneath it.
3. Think about your light
Only use wax where you really want the brightest highlights.
Too much can make a painting feel spotty rather than luminous.
4. Expect texture
Watercolour won't flow smoothly over the wax.
Instead it gathers into beautiful little speckles and broken marks. This is part of the charm.
5. Add detail afterwards
If you want crisp grasses or branches crossing over the wax, a waterproof pen or biro works beautifully once the painting is dry.
Watercolour Wax Resist Seascape Step-by-Step
Materials
300 gsm cold-pressed watercolour paper
Round size 12 brush
Rigger brush
White candle
Watercolour colours:
Indigo
Viridian Green
Ultramarine
Yellow Ochre
Step 1
Rub the candle over the areas where you want the brightest sparkle.
Step 2
Paint the whole sky and sea with loose wet-in-wet washes.
Because the wax is already protecting the paper, you can work freely without worrying about losing your highlights.
Step 3
When everything is dry, add the distant land, grasses and foreground details.
An old toothbrush loaded with paint is perfect for adding extra texture and movement.
Wax Resist for Trees and Landscapes
I also use exactly the same technique when painting woodland.
Wax resist works beautifullly to create textured bark and sunlight through branches.
Give It a Try
If you've never experimented with wax resist before, I'd encourage you to spend half an hour simply playing.
Paint a few washes, try different marks with the candle, and see how the watercolour behaves.
It's one of those techniques that's difficult to appreciate until you've experienced it for yourself—and once you have, you'll probably find yourself reaching for a candle surprisingly often.
Wax Resist FAQ
Can you use a candle for wax resist?
Yes. An ordinary white household candle works perfectly for most watercolour paintings.
Is wax resist permanent?
Yes. Once the wax is on the paper, it cannot be removed, so it's best used for highlights you know you want to keep.
Is wax resist better than masking fluid?
They create different effects. Wax resist gives soft, broken highlights and texture, while masking fluid creates crisp, clean whites.
If you'd like to explore techniques like wax resist in person, I run fun, friendly watercolour workshops for beginners and improvers in North Yorkshire throughout the year.
You can see all upcoming workshops here.
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