So you want to do a #DIYresin painting? Don't worry I've got your back.
I started working with resin 5 years ago when I wanted to re do some countertops in my home..and sure they turned out OK but there was a lot of things I did wrong but I'm not going to get into that right now. I then got into painting abstract acrylic paintings on canvas and thought that they would look amazing with a glossy overlay. After doing a TON of research and with my past experience with the countertops my resin coated artwork was born! I sold my first piece on my birthday through my Etsy page. I was super excited!!
So if you don't already know this.. canvas....not the best for resin, but what did I know it was still a new thing and there was hardly any information out there on how to do it. The reason canvas sucks for resin is simple. Resin is weighted and when you pour it on a flexible surface...you basically get a puddle in the middle and very thin amounts on the edges.. lame.
So buy a wood panel!! Such as something like this. https://store.opusartsupplies.com/sagro/storefront/store.php?mode=browsecategory&category=5031
Or if you are handy and have access to a saw or a friend with one I would start with a piece of MDF board.. its affordable and you can cut the sizes and shapes you want.
You also want a good quality resin. I've tried many different brands and I always come back to Artresin
Artresin has never steered me in a wrong direction. You can grab it off amazon here
I have spent a ton of time testing out different resin Brands and I have not found one that holds up and resists yellowing as well as this. If you want a good quality end result you need to invest in good quality products.
Their website has a handy calculator so you know how much to mix for your project (side note* that amount isn't necessarily exact for geode pieces and I find I use more than the calculations give so knowing that if you are doing a geode you may need a bit more) I like to have a little side project like a charcuterie board, tray, or coasters in case you mix up too much.
Coloring
I like to use acrylic paint (craft paint works too and it's cheaper) or you can buy pigments for soaps or resin pigments. Alcohol inks can be mixed with resin and tend to have a more transparent look. It all depends on what look you are going for.
A heat gun, blow dryer, or torch (this is to pop bubbles that rise in the resin) this is a MUST do. You don't want bubbly artwork. Also the heat helps the resin flow so you can now tip your piece for an abstract look or use the dryer or gun to move the resin around on your project. You will see this alot with beach resin art to create the gorgeous waves.
Something to cover your project with.
I have a handy husband who built me an awesome wood and poly frame that hangs from the ceiling in my studio that I can raise and lower with pullys on the wall! That way no dust or insects land on my freshly poured project. There is nothing worse than coming back to a finished piece that has a mosquito 🦟 stuck in the middle and you have to sand it all down and start over..trust me! If you are doing a smaller project a open cardboard box will do the trick!
Drop cloths! I can't stress enough how messy resin can be and even if you don't care about the surface you are pouring over it will become a pain in the a$$ when you are trying to level future projects on a surface covered in solid resin. Do not use cloth drop cloths.
Remember when I said I started by doing resin on my countertops? What I learned the hard way was that cloth dropcloths are a bad choice....I had dropcloth stuck to my nice tile flooring and it took forever for me to get it off!!!
The resin will seep through that cloth and essentially glue it to your surface.. so take it from me plastic is best! I like to use super heavy duty poly that comes in a roll.. the reason is that I'm able to just peel off the hardened resin off of the surface and start clean and fresh. DONT FORGET TO ALSO COVER YOUR FLOOR .. *tip*dollar store plastic shower curtain liners work great here! And while you are at the dollar store grab yourself some.....
Stir sticks
So I hate waste and if I can reuse something I'm going to. So when I mix my resin together in my ice cream bucket (see! reusing) I use a silicone spatula! From the dollar store they are about 1$ for 3 of them!
And you can just peel the hardened resin off for stirring. Also grab some craft sticks to stir with as well.. you will want this for mixing your color with your resin.
A large bucket (ice cream size) clean with no dust in it..for mixing resin in.
Pouring cups. I like to use solo cups in a few different sizes. They work great for raising and leveling your panel as well.
So this is all you need to create your first resin piece! from here you can just fly by the seat of your pants or pick one of my awesome tutorials and put your own spin on it!
**Side note- the space you pour your resin in needs to be warm. I have a small space heater I purchased off Amazon to heat my studio room.
Shopping list
Wood panel
Paint and/pigments
Drop cloths (plastic!!!) Cut your own with this
Stir sticks- wood craft sticks or popsicle sticks
Silicone stir stick
Bucket
Heat gun or torch (blow dryer can work if it has a low setting) I prefer a torch for my bubbles and a heat gun for moving the resin around
Gloves, latex or alternative, something that fits snug to your hands.
GEODE optional supplies
-Decorative glass
-Glitter
-Quartz stones
-Super glue- if using a MDF formed panel with cutouts
-Spray foam, modeling paste or mortar-for rock detailing
-Metallic alcohol ink
-Paint pens
OCEAN optional supplies
-Sand
-Quickcrete or mortar or sprayfoam
-White resin pigment-needed for beautiful waves
-Acrylic medium for adhering sand.
THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. THAT MEANS IF YOU USE THEM TO MAKE A PURCHASE (AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU) I MIGHT EARN MONEY FROM THAT FOR MY NEXT PROJECT