How can a coffee filter help protect your watercolor paintings? 

I posted a one-minute "Tuesday" Tip" this week and I got so many reactions across social media, I decided we needed to go a little deeper on the topic. 

Using a cold wax medium to seal your watercolor paintings is an easy way to protect them from moisture and humidity. Sealing your watercolor paintings with cold wax also allows you to frame them without glass or mount them on wood panels. 

Here is the process I use:

*Cover your work surface with newsprint paper. (Don't Use a Newspaper, the ink may rub off onto your watercolor painting.)

What You'll Need:

• A watercolor painting you want to seal
• Cold Wax Medium (I used Dorland's Wax Medium
• Lint-Free Cloth (coffee filter, eyeglass/lens cloth)

How To Seal Your Painting:

• Make sure your hands are clean 
• Remove and dust from the surface of your painting 
• Be sure you have signed your painting
• Dip a coffee filter or other lint-free cloth into the wax medium and apply it to the surface of your painting. I use a circular motion when I apply the wax.
• Be sure the entire surface is covered with a thin layer of wax. 
• Let the wax dry overnight (12-24 hours) The weather may affect drying times.
• Once the wax is dry, use a coffee filter or lint-free cloth to buff the wax. It will have a satin sheen when you're finished. 
• Be sure to do the front and the back of your painting. ( I recommend doing the front first, letting it dry, then buffing it out, and then doing the same process for the back. 

Why Seal Your Painting?

• To protect it from humidity 
• To Protect it from spills (Water resistant)
• To be able to frame it without glass (no glare from a glass pane in the frame)
• Makes the watercolors look richer.
• Allows the watercolor painting to be mounted on a wood panel

I hope this tip helps! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask! 

Until next time, happy painting!