Wax. Waxes are a diverse class of organic compounds that are malleable solids near ambient temperatures. Wax is used in various ways as an art material for paintings. One common technique is wax resist, where artists apply wax to a surface like paper or canvas to repel water-based paints, creating unique patterns and textures. Wax crayons and oil pastels, which contain wax, are also popular for drawing and painting, allowing for rich color application and blending. In mixed media works, wax can serve as a binding agent or protective layer, sometimes adding a glossy finish. Additionally, sculptural elements made from wax can be integrated into paintings to enhance depth and texture. Cold wax medium, a paste made from wax and solvent, enables thick application and impasto effects when mixed with oil paint, further showcasing the versatility of wax in artistic practices. Waxes are insoluble in water but soluble in nonpolar organic solvents such as hexane, benzene and chloroform. Natural waxes of different types are produced by plants and animals and occur in petroleum. Ceroline brand wax for floors and furniture, first half of 20th century. From the Museo del Objeto del Objeto collection. Waxes are organic compounds that characteristically consist of long aliphatic alkyl chains, although aromatic compounds may also be present. Natural waxes may contain unsaturated bonds and include various functional groups such as fatty acids, primary and secondary alcohols, ketones, aldehydes and fatty acid esters. Synthetic waxes often consist of homologous series of long-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons that lack functional groups. Plant and animal waxes Waxes are synthesized by many plants and animals. Those of animal origin typically consist of wax esters derived from a variety of fatty acids and carboxylic alcohols. In waxes of plant origin, characteristic mixtures of unesterified hydrocarbons may predominate over esters. The composition depends not only on species, but also on geographic location of the organism. Animal waxes The best-known animal wax is beeswax, used in constructing the honeycombs of beehives, but other insects also secrete waxes. A major component of beeswax is myricyl palmitate which is an ester of triacontanol and palmitic acid. Its melting point is 62-65 °C. Spermaceti occurs in large amounts in the head oil of the sperm whale. One of its main constituents is cetyl palmitate, another ester of a fatty acid and a fatty alcohol.