Introduction: Faux Marble - Resin Painting

Natural textures like stone and minerals are all trending in the interior design world at the moment, but those finishes can get expensive quick. This tutorial will show you step by step how to use resin and acrylic paints to create the finish you desire.

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

    Since we are working with resin on this project there will be time constraint. You will have about 45 minutes from the time you initially mix your resin to complete your painting before it begins to harden and thicken. With that in mind you'll want to gather all of your materials in advance and have them close at hand.

    Plastic Drop Cloth

    Clear Packing Tape

    Pre-wrapped Canvas or Wood Panel

    Aluminum Pan

    Disposable Gloves

    Resin

    Popsicle sticks

    Disposable Measuring Cup

    Disposable Cups

    Acrylic Paint

    Metallic Pigment or Ink (Optional)

    Glitter (Optional)

    Silicon Oil (Optional)

    Heat Gun (Optional

Step 2: Prepping Your Work Surface

  1. To begin you will need to make sure the area you are working in is covered in plastic. Resin does not stick to plastic so it will harden and then can be peeled away for clean up.
  2. As an extra level of protection when size permits I like to use a disposable foil pan to catch the excess resin.
  3. Similarly, it’s important to cover the back edges of your canvas or wood panel in clear packing tape. This makes it easier to remove drips from the back of the canvas and ensure your painting hangs flush to the wall.
  4. Once you have your surface ready set up 4 cups inside of the aluminum pan, to balance your new canvas on. One at each corner of the piece, but still allowing space for excess resin to drip.

Step 3: Mix Your Resin

Most Resin is equal parts resin and equal parts hardener, but be sure to read your instructions thoroughly as this could vary from brand to brand. I used a disposable graduated cylinder to measure the exact amounts needed. Don't assume you can mix both full bottles in your kit and have the same amounts, you still need to measure.

  1. Measure equal parts resin and hardener and stir for a full three minutes to combine thoroughly.
    Note: The resin will go from a cloudy consistency to clear.
  2. Start adding mixed resin to your disposable cups, leaving some clear resin for a base coat.
  3. Thoroughly mix in your chosen acrylic paint colors, metallic pigment ink or glitter with the resin to ensure no clumps and a smooth pour.
  4. If using silicon oil add a few drops to the color(s) of your choice and mix well to combine.

Step 4: Pouring Your Resin

This is where your creativity comes in! I’m going to give you a step by step of what I did to get this pattern but no resin art will turn out exactly the same, and that’s the fun part. Colors, materials and order in which you apply is completely up to you.

  1. Start by giving your canvas a base coat of clear resin. Don’t be scared to rub the resin around with a popsicle stick or even your hands (don’t forget your gloves!). Make sure to get the resin all the way to the edges in a thin layer.
  2. I started with my darkest color, the black resin. Since I'm using two canvases and I wanted the pattern to flow from one to the next I tried to connect the pour on the two surfaces.
  3. Next I poured my grey resin.
  4. After that I poured the silver resin that I mixed with the Silicon Oil to help create a more cellular structure.
  5. Next I poured the white resin.
  6. Following that I heated the whole canvas up with my heat gun to help blend the colors.
    Note: If not using a heat gun you can pick up your canvas and shift it to move the resin around the surface, or use a straw to blow on the surface of the resin and blend your colors.
  7. Next I added some movement dripping resin from a popsicle stick of various colors.
  8. Once your painting starts to take a shape you are happy you can start placing your metallic and glitter accents.
    Note: Use your heat gun or toothpicks to continue to blending your colors.

Step 5: Adding Accents

Once you get your resin painting to a place you are happy you can add in your accents. Weather you are using metallic inks, pigments or glitter, now is the time to place those around the surface. Again you can use your heat gun to blend the colors together.

Step 6: Finishing Your Edges

While working don’t worry too much about the edges. Resin will drip over and that’s half the fun. If you are worried about the edges once your design is where you want it rub the remainder of the resin on the sides of the canvas. The design from the top will blend with the sides making it appear seamless.

Step 7: Wait for Your Masterpiece to Dry

The resin will take 24 hours to set solid, if you need to ship the piece I would wait 48-72 hours before doing so. Once your resin is set, you can remove the packing tape from the back. The resin drips should pop off as you go.

Step 8: Hang and Enjoy!