Resin art is a bit like painting with acrylic, but when you paint with resin you can give your work a new dimension and make it 3d or make it seem like it.

There are many kinds of resins, stains, dyes, and paints that work with resin so the objective of this instructable is to point you in the right direction and give you the tools to experiment and create your own artworks.

Resins:

Most resins produce an exothermic reaction when they harden, the faster they set the hotter they get and sometimes this can create problems so to be on the safe side pick a resin that dries in at least 24 hrs.

An exothermic reaction is a chemical reaction that releases energy through light or heat. in other words it gets really hot.

Supplies

A canvas:

Most canvases work, just make sure they're flat and don't bow in the center, I like to use thick canvases or panel canvases.

Resin:

There are many brands that work:

Using a resin that's mixed in a 1 to 1 ratio like the ones I linked above makes things easier.

I use ArtResin because its the best when it comes to ease of use, price and durability.

Youll also need some paints, pigments and maybe glitter:

When it comes to changing the color of your resin there are many things you can use and all give different textures, saturation and even colors.

My advice for you is to experiment using acrylic paint and pigments and if you want a color that flows to the top try using alcohol-based paints.

Heres my favorite brand of acrylic paint and pigments, there a bit on the expensive side but it's worth it.

Step 1: Mixing and Painting

A good way to start is to plan what you want to do, maybe sketch on the canvas first and prepare a color scheme, you can use this web page to figure the best colors.

Start by setting your canvas on a flat surface and propped up so the resin doesn't bond the canvas to the surface, rocker bench cookie cones are a great solution but if you can also get away using the bottom of red party cups.

These instructions are based on 1:1 resin:

Once your canvas is set and your works surface is protected prepare your paints by pouring part 1 of the resin onto a cup, then the same amount of part 2 onto another cup.

Once you have your cups filled with part 1 and the same amount of part 2 start mixing the pigments or paint onto the cups with part 1, the amount of pigment or paint depends on the color, try to experiment.

Remember more paint added to the resin the longer it will take to harden and pigment will make your resin thicker meaning it won't flow much.

Finally mix part 1 with the added paint or pigment with part 2 of the resin and paint.

To paint you can use brushes or go Jackson Pollock.

Step 2: Finally

Let your painting dry until its hard, if it's still sticky it's not yet dry and if you hang it prematurely the resin can flow to the ground and make a huge mess.

Try to develop your own technique and if you find something that works make sure you write it down.

You can also try to make your own tools and jigs to paint.

Step 3: SAFETY

Depending on the resin you use these can change so the best way to be safe is to carefully read your resins safety data sheet, however, there are some things you must know:

If resin gets on your clothes it won't come off, so use appropriate clothes or protection.
Use the resin in a well-ventilated area and a respirator, this is the one I use but any 3m respirator with appropriate filters can work.
Use gloves.
Try not to touch the resin.
Stay away from fire, some resins are flammable.

And remember, have fun and plan ahead to avoid accidents.