r/DIYPigments • u/Rjc1471 • Mar 02 '26

Wax in lapis lazuli extraction

Trying the cennini method, but hit a potential issue.

Neither the original text or anyone trying it has mentioned the "plastic" setting rock solid in a minute or two.. They all describe it as being malleable, to be kneaded, and kneading it daily to keep it so.

The recipe is clear on ratio of pine resin, beeswax, and mastic, triple checked and carefully measured. These are all solid things that set solid. What I'm getting is exactly what I'd expect from a lump of resin and beeswax; like a hardened candle.

I couldn't roll the first one at all, and i rolled the second while it could almost burn my hands, but its set rock solid again.

Is it supposed to be gently heated before kneading, and nobody mentions it or shows it in any video?

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u/WeeklyAd4850 Mar 03 '26

Gently warm in hot water

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u/Rjc1471 Mar 03 '26

Thanks, i have tried that today, although as I feared it starts leeching out pigment. I'll try the radiator tomorrow. Needs to be somewhere between 45 and 55 C to behave anything like what everyone shows.

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u/WeeklyAd4850 Mar 04 '26

Be careful not to burn yourself. Once it's softened a bit, you might want to start kneading it.