THANK YOU FOR REGISTERING FOR
THE COLD WAX & OIL INTRODUCTION WORKSHOP!
Cold Wax Painting Workshop – Frequently Asked Questions
LOCATION:
LORI AUSTIN GALLERY ANNEX • SANTA ROSA
3345 Industrial Drive, Suite 17 • Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Accessibility Note: The classroom is located on the upper level of the building and is reached by a single flight of stairs. The restroom facilities are located on the lower level, so participants will use the stairs to access them during the workshop. Guests who are comfortable navigating a flight of stairs should find access to the space straightforward.
1. Do I need painting experience to take this class?
Not at all. The workshop is designed for both beginners and experienced artists. We’ll explore the materials step by step, and the emphasis is on experimentation, creativity, and enjoying the process.
2. What will we be painting on?
We will work primarily on oil paper and wood panels, both of which respond beautifully to oil and cold wax and allow us to explore layering, texture, and composition.
3. What will I learn during the workshop?
You’ll learn how to work with oil paint and cold wax medium, including layering, building texture, developing composition, and understanding how to move a painting forward. The focus is on discovering how the materials behave and enjoying the creative process.
4. What makes cold wax painting unique?
Cold wax creates beautiful matte surfaces, depth, and rich textures that are difficult to achieve with traditional oil painting alone. It allows artists to build layers, scrape, carve, and reveal underlying color in exciting ways.
5. Is this workshop mostly lecture or painting?
The workshop is primarily hands-on painting time. Demonstrations and guidance will be provided throughout, but the emphasis is on creating, experimenting, and learning through the process of painting.
6. Is working with oil paint and cold wax safe?
Yes. Modern oil paints produce very little vapor, and the cold wax medium releases minimal fumes. Students will have very limited interaction with solvents, and the studio has excellent cross-ventilation to keep the environment comfortable.
7. Do students need to wear masks while painting?
Masks are generally not necessary when working with oil paints and small amounts of odorless mineral spirits in a well-ventilated studio. The workshop space has strong cross ventilation, and solvent use is minimal.
8. Will we be using solvents during the workshop?
Very little solvent is used during the class. Students will primarily paint, while any solvent used for studio maintenance or cleanup is handled by Chris and his assistants.
9. What should I bring to the workshop?
All materials needed for the workshop are provided for students, so you do not need to bring anything. Aprons and gloves will be used during the workshop to help keep things clean. We do recommend wearing clothes that you wouldn’t worry about getting paint on, just in case.
10. What is the overall atmosphere of the workshop?
The workshop is designed to be fun, relaxed, and supportive. It’s a chance to explore your creativity, try new materials, and spend time painting in an inspiring group setting where questions and experimentation are encouraged.
11. The class starts at 10 AM, what time should I arrive?
We’ll start right at 10, so we recommend arriving between 9:30 and 9:45 AM. That gives you time to settle in, get comfortable, and meet the other participants before we begin.
Our April 11–12 workshop is already SOLD OUT.
Stay tuned—we’ll be announcing additional classes in the near future, including intermediate and apprentice workshops.