Wax Resist

What is Wax Resist?

Wax Resist is a technique that involves applying wax on paper, either in the form of a candle, oil pastels or crayons. Painting over the wax reveals the wax design, as the wax resists the paint, leaving the colour of the paper exposed.

You will need:

Paper
Candle, oil pastels or crayons
Watercolour paints or tea bags (to create your own dye)

Method

Wax Resist Hidden Design

1. Using a white candle, oil pastel or crayon, draw a design on paper. If you use white wax on white paper, then it will be very hard to see.

2. Use watercolour paints to reveal the hidden design, the wax will resist the paint and the lines you have drawn in wax will stay white. If you don't have watercolour paints, try soaking a tea bag in water to create your own dye.

Try writing a secret message, which is revealed once it is painted over.

Wax Crackle Effect

1. Use coloured wax crayons or oil pastels to draw a design on your page. Colour it in, covering the whole page with bright colours, leaving no blank spaces.

2. Screw up the paper into a ball, creating creases across the page.

3. Open out the design and paint over it with a dark watercolour paint. If you don't have watercolour paints, try soaking a tea bag in water to create your own dye.