Artworks made out of Epoxy Resin holds a certain kind of beauty to it that draws people to it. Because of this, a lot of people have wanted to learn how to create this kind of artwork.
Just like what one would expect, the process is very exciting and fun. For beginners, it can be a challenge to get started, as there are certain challenges to it which require a lot of studying and practice.
So to help you out in starting your resin art journey, we have rounded up everything you need to know about Epoxy Resin Art.
What is Epoxy Resin Art?
Resin artworks originally became a trend in the USA, Australia, and Canada. These are created by adding color pigments and other additives into epoxy resin to create luminous paintings, crazy river tables, trays, and other elements of décor, art and furniture.
Epoxy resin is made out of two components - liquid resin and hardener. When mixed together, the liquid resin slowly hardens and turns into solid plastic in a few hours. Full cure is typically in 24 -72 hours depending on the particular resin you chose. This results in a clear, glossy, and unique piece. Resin is also widely used as finishing for photos, drawings and paintings as it protects them from UV light and other external elements. It also can be applied at table top, countertops and even in showers.
Depending on the painting ground and the tools you use, you can even create various end products like trays, sculptures, paintings and the like. Plus, resin art is highly versatile with the endless number of effects that you can achieve.
Safety Measures
One thing that should be made clear before you start your resin art journey is that you’ll be dealing with chemicals all throughout the process. Hence, you will need to follow some safety precautions to fully enjoy the experience. Do not be complacent on these by any means.
Here are some safety measures to follow at all times:
Protect your hands by wearing nitrile gloves
Choose a well-ventilated place to do your resin art project. Avoid areas with pets and kids as they may inhale the epoxy fumes.
Use goggles when pouring or sanding to avoid getting Epoxy to your eyes
Wear a respirator. If you’re working with high amounts of resin - full mask respirators are preferred.
Clean your area thoroughly. Avoid using the kitchen sink to wash your equipment.
Materials Needed
Now that your safety is assured, then let’s proceed to the different materials you will need:
Resin Epoxy
First and foremost, you will need a high-quality resin epoxy for the best results. Opt for those which are clear and come with a UV-filter. This feature prevents your pieces from yellowing after being exposed to sunlight over time. In my workshop I use ArtResin (Epoxy Resin Art | Buy Clear Epoxy Resin Kits Online | ArtResin) , as in the result of my research this epoxy is have almost no Odor, no VOC, not toxic, and highly UV resistant. This epoxy is considered to have a medium viscosity and suitable for various projects. Yet it is not the best for casting. I will tell you more about casting river tables and molds in my future posts.
Painting Grounds or Surface
The best surfaces for resin art are those made of wood, plexiglass, glass, metal, or anything hard enough to carry the resin’s weight. Avoid canvases and absorbent surfaces as resin may cause these to sag. I prefer to use special art boards or to buy pieces of MDF from HomeDepot for larger projects.
Dyes
To add color and personality to your artwork, of course you would also need paints and dyes. Your best choices are those that are highly pigmented. Depending on your preference, you can choose to buy color pigments in special epoxy tints, inks, alcohol inks, mica powders or pastes, acrylics, and even spray paints. My favorite are those by Black Diamond Pigments, ArtResin, Just Resin and some other brands that are not very present on US market as ResinArt.
Let your creativity run wild during this part. Just don’t forget to never add water onto your paint as these may ruin your work.
Tips and Tricks
Working with epoxy resin can be really tricky, as the whole process can end up being a trial and error process. Fortunately, we’ve got five tips to help you improve your resin art skills:
Start with a small project
Choose the right epoxy for your project
Follow all the instructions from the label of the epoxy that you use
Do ample research and watch how-to videos on resin art to get familiar with the process. This stops you from making certain mistakes along the way!
Be patient with the trial and error process. You’ll get the hang of it sooner if you persevere!
Get to know your materials, especially essential details like how long until the epoxy resin hardens or thickens up to obtain the perfect patterns.
Learn from fellow artists! Nothing beats experience after all.
Know what kind of theme you want to achieve for your painting. This allows you to plan out the colors and patterns that will suit your idea best.
In Conclusion
The process of creating Epoxy Resin Artworks can be incredibly tedious - but not impossible. You will need to be patient with it as it requires a series of trial and errors. But of course, these are simply part of the fun!
Beginners are encouraged to attend a resin workshop if you want step-by-step guidance. But if that’s not possible, then of course you can always follow how-to videos online. Just don’t forget to note the safety precautions to avoid any issues along the way! After all, these projects are best enjoyed when safety is assured.
Check our schedule for the next epoxy workshop and learn all the secrets first hand.