Resin Painting: How to Smash It in 6 Easy Steps

Resin art is all the rage these days. It’s easy, colourful, trendy, and it’s like nothing you’ve seen before. If you love to paint and want to try something different, resin art painting classes might be the thing for you.

You might think that creating a resin painting is some complicated technique that can only be done by professionals. Far from it! In this article, we walk you through the steps in detail, to get you ready to attend your first art class and get started with this contemporary craft.

6-Step Guide to Creating a Resin Painting

If you want to learn how to create your own artwork or wondering what tools you’ll need, here’s a step-by-step guide to resin for beginners like you!

Step 1: Gather your tools

To create your own resin painting, you will need:

• A pair of heat-resistant gloves
• Safety goggles and respirator mask (resin can be toxic)
• A torch, heat gun, or blow dryer to remove air bubbles from the resin
• Resin, epoxy or casting material of your choice
• A measuring cup or mixing tool like a stir stick or paintbrush
• A cup for mixing (disposable cup is fine)
• A palette knife, popsicle stick, or other tool of choice for mixing and spreading the resin
• Resin art panel
• Plastic sheets like painter’s tarpaulin, newspaper or cardboard to protect your working surface so that the excess resin doesn’t get stuck there

For the panel, you can use whatever surface you want to paint on: canvas, board, wood block, etc. Many beginners like to start with an art board, which come in a variety of sizes.

Step 2: Choose your paint medium

There are many different types of paint that can be used with resin. It all depends on the type of look and finish you are looking for. The most popular are acrylic enamel, acrylic latex and oil based paints. Each has its pros and cons but all can be used effectively in resin art as long as they are mixed properly.

You can use any type of paint to create your resin artwork but there are some paints that work better than others. The best paint for resin art is acrylic paint, as this dries quickly and doesn’t melt when mixed with resin. If you want to mix different colours together to create your own shades, use only acrylic paint or a mix of acrylic paint and resin dye. Metallic paints look particularly impressive when combined with resin art.

You will want to use acrylic paint if you wish to achieve an opaque or semi-opaque look because acrylic paint will not thin out when the resin is added and will keep the same consistency throughout. If you are new to using paints with resin, start out with acrylic enamel or acrylic latex paints.

Another option is alcohol ink, a highly pigmented medium that enables you to create vibrant colours and patterns for striking artwork. Alcohol inks can be mixed with each other, so you can create an infinite variety of colours by blending different shades together. You can also combine them with other mediums like gold leaf! The only downside to alcohol inks is they do dry out quickly so they should always be stored in sealed containers as soon as possible after use, otherwise they will dry out and become unusable within a few hours of being left open.

Step 3: Choose a resin

Resin is a bit tricky to work with. It’s sensitive to temperature and humidity, and it can be messy to use. So it’s best to prepare yourself with all the necessary tools before you start mixing and pouring. As you can imagine, the cleanup isn’t always an easy task.

Now that you have decided what you want to make, it is important that you choose the right type of resin. Resin is a liquid polymer that hardens after being applied on a surface. You can find different types of resin in the market, but if you’re just starting, you can try using art resin or epoxy resin as it’s easy to use and manipulate.

To start, choose between an epoxy resin or a polyester casting resin. These two resins are the most commonly used in making artwork. They are also the easiest to use as they provide a quick and easy way to protect your artwork.

The most common type of resin used for art is epoxy. This is usually a two-part substance where the hardener and the epoxy are mixed together in equal parts. Epoxy resin art has a more natural finish and provides better protection against UV light. They will produce a yellowing effect over time.

Polyester casting resins are tougher than epoxy resins, but they don’t provide the same level of protection against UV rays.

Step 4: Prepare your canvas

You can choose almost anything on which to create your artwork. It all depends on the look, feel and texture you want to achieve. Popular choices include wood, glass, concrete and tile.

If you’ve never created a resin artwork before, it’s easier to start with a small canvas (less than 12 x 12 inches). It will take some time to understand how to work with resin and to make sure that your brushstrokes are just the way you want them. You can also experiment with different colours of resin on a small canvas instead of diving into a big project. You don’t want to waste any of your precious art supplies!

Also, if you are using a new canvas, it’s good practice to seal it with gesso, a type of white paint mixture used as a base, before you start painting with resin. You can also use a white base coat, but make sure that the top layer is dry before pouring the resin over it. If you are using an older canvas, make sure that the surface is clean and free of dust and dirt. Also, get rid of any paint that might have flaked off by gently sanding the surface with sandpaper.

Resin is extremely sticky and will make a mess if spilled! If possible, find an outdoor area, such as a garage or driveway that has plenty of space for you to spread out your project and won’t be disturbed by anyone else during the drying process. Remember to protect your work surface, as well, with disposable plastic, foam core board or other non-porous surface, and to tape your edges down. Also, be sure that your surface is level so that the resin does not drip over the edge.

Step 5: Pour the resin

Before you start pouring, make sure to work in a well-ventilated area. We recommend working outdoors, but if that’s not possible, be sure to open windows and turn on fans. The fumes from resin can be quite strong. Another important thing to remember before you begin: Make sure to wear a mask and protective gloves when working with resin to avoid contact with the skin.

In a plastic container, pour your resin components, then mix thoroughly for at least 2 minutes with a wooden stick. You must work carefully and in a timely manner as the mixture hardens quickly. If you prefer, you can use an electric stirrer, but we recommend using it only once the resin is completely liquid to avoid trapping any air bubbles – one of the common problems resin art newbies encounter.

How to avoid bubbles? When you’ve finished mixing, leave the resin to rest for about 10 minutes before applying it so that any bubbles will rise and disappear on their own. Also, refrain from touching the surface of the resin with your fingers and be careful dust particles don’t fall into the resin. Artist Lorna Ballantyne-Epps and proprietor of The Levee Art Gallery & Studios, renowned for her resin art painting classes, talks about other resin dos and don’ts in this article.

Step 6: Let the resin set and dry

Once you’re finished, it’s time to let the resin set and dry. When working with larger canvases, you might have to wait longer for the drying to complete.

Once the resin has dried, give it a final sanding to remove any imperfections. You can also spray on a sealer on your artwork to protect it from dust and moisture, and to keep your colours fresh. You can then add a frame to your artwork if you like.

However, it’s important to spray on a sealer so that the resin paint isn’t affected by dust particles or other elements like moisture.

See how easy it is to create amazing resin paintings in a variety of sizes and styles, with just a few steps and affordable materials?

Pick up this new hobby today and feel proud to display your epoxy resin art in your home or give as gifts to friends and family. Check out resin art painting classes near you!