CREATING RESIN ART PAINTING

     WHAT IS RESIN? 

     Epoxy resin is a two-component system consisting of resin and hardener. When the two components are mixed, a chemical reaction occurs that causes the liquid resin to gradually solidify. The result is a clear, glossy surface.

  APPLICATION OF RESIN IN PAINTING 

     The trend of using resin in art comes from the USA, Canada, and Australia. With resin, you can create paintings that capture the viewer’s attention with their light, clarity, shine, and depth. Color pigments and many other additives can be mixed into the resin. The effects are achieved through the choice of base, the pouring technique, the colors, and the additives used. Even experienced artists who work with resin never stop learning. If you love to experiment, you will fall in love with working with resin. It can be combined with various techniques such as oil, acrylic, alcohol ink, watercolor, mixed media, and more. Not only will it add depth and shine to your artworks, but it will also protect them from UV rays and unwanted mechanical damage.

WHICH SURFACES ARE SUITABLE FOR RESIN ART? 

     Suitable surfaces for working with resin include wood, glass, metal, plexiglass, concrete, and other smooth surfaces. Porous, absorbent surfaces are not suitable. Canvas is also not recommended, as it sags under the weight of the resin and causes it to pool in the center. If you still wish to use resin on canvas, you must first reinforce it with a rigid backing. Furniture, floors, and kitchen countertops can also be coated with appropriate resin.

WHAT PIGMENTS TO ADD TO RESIN? 

     You can use colored pigments in powder form, ink, alcohol ink, liquid acrylic paints, and spray paints. Do not limit your imagination, but do not add water to the paints, as water makes the resin cloudy and prevents it from fully hardening. Depending on the type of pigments used, you will achieve different results. It is best to experiment with your colors on small surfaces first. It is important to mix the color thoroughly into the resin, but do so very carefully.

RECOMMENDED PAINTS AND PIGMENTS that you can find in EMART stores or online at www.emart.bg

   specialized: 

    others: 

     SPRAY PAINTS

     ACRYLIC PAINT "CADENCE PREMIUM"

     ACRYLIC PAINT "CADENCE HYBRID"

     ACRYLIC METALLIC PAINT "CADENCE HYBRID"

     ACRYLIC METALLIC PAINT "CADENCE DORA"

     ACRYLIC PAINT "CADENCE EXTREME"

    ACRYLIC GILDING PAINT "CADENCE"

    GLOW-IN-THE-DARK ACRYLIC PAINT "CADENCE"

     ACRYLIC PAINT "MORISON" – SET OF 10 COLORS

     ACRYLIC PAINT "PHOENIX"

     WATERCOLORS

    MIRROR EFFECT PAINT

CREATING EFFECTS 

     By adding glitter, stones, or crystals to your resin artworks, you can create beautiful highlights. For example, you can scatter a few geodes, which are very trendy at the moment. You can also pour pre-mixed colors to achieve unexpected results.

MATERIALS that you can find in EMART stores or online at www.emart.bg

     GLITTER POWDER

     SMALL GEMSTONE CHIPS AND CRYSTALS

     LARGE GEMSTONE CHIPS AND CRYSTALS

     FINE GEMSTONE CHIPS IN A JAR

     NATURAL GEMSTONES WITHOUT HOLE

     SEA SHELLS AND MUSSELS

     COLORED SAND

COMPOSITION 

     In art, one does not always start with a clear idea of the final result of the work, often relying on intuition or chance. However, when working with resin — especially epoxy resin — you cannot afford to begin without a clear concept of the composition or even a preliminary design, as once the resin and hardener are mixed, you have limited working time.

     DRYING 

     The drying time depends on room temperature and the type of resin used. It’s best to experiment in advance with the materials you have. The drying process can vary between 15 minutes and 1.5 hours.

     INSTRUCTIONS FOR CREATING A RESIN PAINTING 

     Once you are clear about the design and color choice, you are ready to begin:

• Ensure a clean, dust-free workspace in a well-ventilated room. Cover your work surface and floor with plastic film to protect them. All materials you’ll need should be easily accessible.
• Tape the back of the base you’ll be painting on with strong painter’s tape so that resin drips on the underside can easily be removed the next day, along with the tape.
• Raise the base on supports such as cups. If placed directly on the table, it will stick, as the resin runs off the edges.
• Use a level to make sure your working surface is perfectly horizontal; otherwise, the resin will flow and distort your design.
• Wear disposable rubber gloves (not vinyl or latex) and long-sleeved clothing.
• Mix the required amount of resin and hardener in the correct ratio and stir for 3 minutes using a plastic spatula. If the two components are not thoroughly mixed, the resin will remain sticky and fail to cure completely.
• Now the fun begins: color the resin in disposable cups using different pigments. Be conservative — a few drops or a pinch of pigment are usually enough. You can use various pouring techniques to apply the resin to your surface.
• You can also add a few drops of silicone oil to the colored mixtures and manipulate the resin’s flow with a spatula, knife, roller, brush, or silicone tool, or by tilting the surface.
• Avoid air bubbles in the painting. If any appear, remove them briefly using a torch or a hair dryer.
• Once the resin starts to set, the painting should no longer be altered. At this point, the resin becomes very viscous and begins to form threads, losing its self-leveling property. Gentle heating may slow the process, but only slightly.
• To prevent dust, hair, or small insects from sticking to the surface, remove them carefully with tweezers.
• When the artwork is complete and free of bubbles and debris, cover it to protect it from dust. You can use a piece of cardboard or another flat surface placed above the artwork on four supports, such as cups or bottles. The resin painting will harden after about 24 hours but remains delicate. It will fully cure after three days. Avoid large temperature fluctuations during the drying process.
• About five hours after applying the resin — if it has hardened but is still tacky — you can apply another layer. Several layers of resin add fascinating depth to the painting. Alternatively, you can wait until your artwork is completely dry, but then you’ll need to lightly sand it with fine sandpaper to ensure proper adhesion of the new layer. After sanding, clean the surface thoroughly with water and, if needed, an alcohol wipe. Do not perform this process in the same room as fresh resin work, as airborne dust could settle on the new layer.

CLEANING YOUR TOOLS 

     Once your painting is complete, your work isn’t done yet — it’s time to clean your equipment. If you still have leftover resin, you can use it for jewelry, small decorations, or experiments. Place empty resin cups upside down on plastic film so excess resin can drip out and easily be removed the next day. Wipe your spatula with vinegar or an isopropanol-soaked cloth. You should also clean sticky tools such as hair dryers, torches, tweezers, etc., with an alcohol wipe. Be sure to unplug all electrical devices first! Unfortunately, brushes and rollers must be discarded. Do not leave wooden sticks in resin, as they will be nearly impossible to remove later.

CLEANING STICKY HANDS 

     Clean sticky hands with vinegar first, then wash them with soap and water. DIY stores sell special hand-cleaning pastes that are very effective. Use alcohol on your hands only as a last resort, as it dries out the skin. Still, the best protection is to wear gloves and prevent resin from contacting your skin, as it can cause irritation.

WHAT TO DO IF DEFECTS APPEAR ON YOUR PAINTING? 

     If your artwork has holes or depressions after drying, you may not have used enough resin or too much may have flowed off. Dents can also appear if silicone oil was used. In this case, your only option is to lightly sand the surface with fine sandpaper and apply another layer of resin. If silicone oil was used, make sure to clean the artwork thoroughly with alcohol before recoating.

DIFFICULTIES WHEN WORKING WITH RESIN 

     In addition to its many advantages, working with resin has its challenges. If you decide to use it, you shouldn’t be overly tidy — it’s a messy process. The technique is also not cheap; high-quality resin can be quite expensive. Building multi-layered resin paintings is truly worthwhile, but it increases costs. For health reasons, safety measures must always be followed. The technique isn’t easy, but once mastered, you’ll be rewarded with the satisfaction of your stunning creations.

SAFETY MEASURES WHEN WORKING WITH RESIN 

     Resin is a viscous, sticky substance that hardens completely at room temperature over time. Therefore, be careful to protect your furniture and clothing. You should also take precautions for your health. Even if you’re using resin certified as non-toxic, skin contact may still cause irritation. It is important to wear disposable gloves and long-sleeved clothing. Smoking nearby should be avoided, as synthetic resin is partially flammable. In addition, it’s recommended to wear a protective mask when heating synthetic resin mixed with paint, since the fumes may not be entirely harmless.

     As you’ve already seen, creating resin paintings is a time-consuming process that requires preparation and patience. But once you hold your successful artwork in your hands, you’ll say: “It was truly worth it!”