MarinaTvB_Art| Cold wax artist and online educator

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A portrait in water-based cold wax, acrylics and Rusty Powder

This portrait is made with water-based cold wax and acrylics. I used Powerwax from Powertex and I also used their Rusty Powder later in the process.

I often start with a dark or a very bright under layer because I love how this shines through in the end result!


I waited until the red layer was dry, then added a turquoise/blue layer with paint mixed with water-based cold wax, creating textures in the wet paint. I then added some rusty powder, which will turn to rust when sprinkled with water and vinegar and left for 24 hours


In this next layer, I added some more rust powder and some paint mixed with the Powerwax.

It is just a play, like I always say: explore, experiment and have fun!

Do you already see a face? I do!

I saw a face in profil (did you see it too?) but I prefered her to be facing me so with my ‘transfer method’ I transfered my drawing of the portrait onto the painting and started with the light parts.

This is where I slow down and do very thin layers!

This is definitely the ugly part, she looks really scary!

I continued to redefine the features as I want her to be somewhat abstract, but with correct proportions.

This is the phase where I start to like her (or not, in which case she will be covered over😂)

Then I mixed white paint mixed with the Powerwax and took a brayer to do some negative painting around the girl, covering up the background and some of the rust

I love how she turned out!🩵

She decided to be called Amber and it suits her!


Amber, acrylics and water-based cold wax on mixed media paper (available in my Art Shop)

👩🏻‍🎨If you are interested in a Water-based cold wax and acrylics online class, you'll find more info here: https://classes.marinatvb.com/courses/coldwaxandacrylics






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As always, don’t hesitate to ask me questions, I would love to connect with you!💙

PS. If you want to learn more about painting with me, here’s things you can checkout now: