Do you want to pick up making Resin Art but have no idea where to start or what to buy? Then this beginner's guide to Resin Art is exactly what you are looking for!
There is a lot to say about Resin Art and we could write a book about it. In this article we stick to the basics and introduce you to the basics of Resin Art. We give you useful tips & tricks so that you can get started with this cool hobby well prepared!
Resin Art simply means 'epoxy art' and is an art form that uses epoxy casting resin as the base material. The art form originates from America and is now also immensely popular in Europe. The great thing about Resin Art is that you can do so much with it. For example, you can make beautiful epoxy coasters, jewelry, paintings, trays and tables. With countless pigments and molds you can give your own twist to your works of art. This is how you make your Resin Art truly unique!
Epoxy is a liquid resin from the polymer family. Epoxy consists of 2 components that you have to put together. After joining, a chemical reaction occurs that releases heat, causing the resin to harden into a hard, plastic-like material.
Resin Art is a super fun hobby and the possibilities are endless. With a little searching on the internet you will come across hundreds of pigments, glitters, moulds and various epoxies. You might be overwhelmed. We are happy to explain to you which products are essential to start with Resin Art.
These are the most important products you need to get started with Resin Art:
As soon as you have above mentioned products at home, you can get started. You can of course expand these products with materials such as stones, glitter, figurines, etc. You can also use different pigments to colorize your epoxy. We will now delve a little deeper into the different epoxies, types of pigments and other useful products to use. In Chapter 3 we explain step by step how to mix epoxy and what you should pay attention to.
There are very many different epoxy resins available. You may be wondering which one is most suitable for Resin Art. Below are the most suitable epoxies for Resin Art. These resins are equipped with a UV stabiliser so they do not yellow easily in the sun. In addition, they are transparent and easy to use. Please check out the Epoxy category for an overview of all the other epoxies.
Would you like to read more about epoxy resins that are very suitable for Resin Art? Then view our extensive article: All about RESION UV Resin Art Epoxy. Here we discuss our Resin Art epoxy product line in more detail.
There is a huge range of pigments in all sort and colours. Pigment powders, pigment pastes, Alcohol Ink (Piñata), transparent pigments and much more. Below are the 3 most common types of pigments. Please also check out our other Resin Art pigments.
At Polyestershoppen, you will find dozens of moulds you can use for Resin Art. From various trivet moulds to moulds for jewellery and pyramids. You simply have 2 different types of moulds: silicone moulds and HDPE moulds. Want to make your own mould? Then use Siliconen casting rubber Shore 15 for this.
The following auxiliary materials are highly recommended for use. With the inexpensive Resin Art auxiliary materials package, you have various auxiliary materials directly at home! We recommend using the following products: sturdy mixing cups to accurately weigh out epoxy. Available in various capacities.
You can use the following accessories to simplify working with epoxy or to finish your work.
Many more epoxies, pigments and accessories are available in our shop. All Resin Art related products can be found on our website in the Resin Art category!
Epoxy is easy to use but does require some care. Epoxy is sensitive to errors during mixing and/or weighing. If you do not use the correct mixing ratio or do not mix enough, the epoxy will not cure completely. Therefore, make sure you follow the steps below very carefully!
Weighing out epoxy is perhaps the most important step in the process. Make sure you always weigh both components as accurately as possible in a mixing cup, according to the mixing ratio. You can always find the mixing ratio on the packaging. Make sure you always use the right base (A) and hardener (B). Always weigh your epoxy properly with (digital) kitchen scales.
You can now start mixing both components together. Stir gently with a mixing spatula for 3 minutes. Also scrape well along the bottom and side of the mixing cup. Be careful not to stir too quickly (to prevent the formation of air bubbles).
Now add the desired pigments to the epoxy. Be careful not to use too much pigment, glitter or other materials. This may affect the final result of the epoxy resin.
Once you have colorized the epoxy, you can continue casting! Gently pour the epoxy onto the surface or into the mould you are going to use. After pouring, you will notice air bubbles appearing on the surface. You can remove these very easily by brushing over the surface with a mini gas burner. Be careful not to hold it too close to the epoxy when doing this, otherwise the epoxy will get too hot and start to yellow. You also run the risk of burning your mould to the epoxy this way.
Once your epoxy is cast, you need to let it cure for a while. With most epoxies, the casting is dry after about 24 hours. We recommend allowing the epoxy to fully cure for another 2-3 days after that. After curing, you can choose to sand and/or polish the epoxy. You will find more information about this in chapter 6.
Epoxy is very sensitive to the environment temperature. In fact, at cold temperatures it takes a lot longer for epoxy to fully cure. At warm temperatures, on the other hand, curing is somewhat faster, so your processing time is also shorter. The ideal processing temperature of most epoxy resins is 20°C.
When working with epoxy, it is very important to work safely. Therefore, always wear nitrile gloves, work in a ventilated area and avoid epoxy coming into contact with the skin. While curing epoxy, some volatile substances are released. As a result, a debate often arises about whether or not to wear a fume mask. Wearing a fume mask is not mandatory but is recommended in certain cases. Our advice on wearing a mask is as follows: are you working in a well-ventilated area for a short period of time? Then a vapour mask is not necessary. However, are you working in a room that you cannot be ventilated or are you handling epoxy for hours on end? Then we strongly recommend wearing a fume mask.
We have written an extensive information article on how to handle epoxy resin safely: FAQ - Working with epoxy resin safely.
It is number one annoyance for many of us: resin bubbles. No matter how careful you are, the bubbles will continue to appear in epoxy resin. However, the good news is that you can easily remove the bubbles. Here are some tips for bubble-free casting:
Over time, epoxy will become dull and have a matt appearance. The epoxy may also come out of the mould dull, because the mould itself is or has become dull. Fortunately, epoxy can be polished very well. With the following tips, you can give your epoxy that beautiful shine again!
Below are some useful general tips for beginners in softwood art. Mistakes are easy to make, so be prepared. Even very experienced resin artists make these mistakes from time to time.
We hope that this article has answered many of your questions, but we can imagine that you still have a lot of questions. For answers to these questions, don't hesitate to contact our customer service team! Our experts know our products inside out and will be delighted to answer any questions you may have.
Please join our Facebook group: "I Love Resin Art"! Here you can ask all your questions, get inspiration and share your artwork with more than 10,000 Resin Art fans. In addition, you can take part in great contests and benefit from exclusive discounts. Become a member here!
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