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You love art and creating. You’ve been seeing all those beautiful tumblers or geodes created with epoxy. You’re very intrigued. You’re wondering how in the heck they made that. Can you make that? Is it difficult to do, because it sure looks like it is. If you are just getting started with epoxy resin, then this Beginner’s Guide to Epoxy Resin for Art is the perfect resource for you! It will answer all of your questions about this wondrous medium and help you understand how it can be used in more complex projects without fear of ruining your finish or projects. The information in this article should also get you started on the right track when it comes to learning how to use epoxy resin for art. Let’s get to artin’!
What is Epoxy Resin?
Epoxy resins are a special class of polymers used to create strong, durable, and flexible adhesives. They are FDA-approved and can be used in a variety of applications. They are commonly used to make sealants, coatings, and in mold making. Epoxy resins are a two-part resin, meaning you’ll have a bottle of resin and a bottle of hardener. Most resins that are used in art are 1:1 mixtures, so you’ll use the same amount of resin and hardener together. They are ideal for bonding porous or non-porous materials like wood or paper. Epoxy resins can be mixed with pigments to create a variety of colors and textures. They are excellent for casting items, which would be an item that is surrounded by resin.
Protect yourself and your space
Keep in mind, while epoxies are FDA-approved, they are still a chemical. Until epoxy has fully cured (anywhere from 24 hours to multiple days), it is toxic, so make sure you are protecting yourself and your workspace while working with it. This includes wearing gloves, using a respirator, wearing goggles, wearing long sleeves and pants, and pulling your hair up. Make sure you are working in a well-ventilated area. PS – This image may be what you feel like in it.
I don’t say this to scare you, I want you to be aware and informed before you start working with epoxy. Protect your workspace with silicone mats, wax paper, aluminum foil, paper, or whatever you have on hand. I prefer silicone since epoxy does not stick to it, so it makes it very easy to clean. I also like using aluminum foil as a drip tray because I can just throw it away after I’m done.
Do your best to make sure epoxy does not come in contact with your skin. It’s sticky and gets everywhere, which isn’t fun, but you also don’t want your body absorbing it, since it is a chemical. If you do get it on yourself, you can use baby wipes to wipe it off, but a neat trick I’ve learned is using hand lotion. I just take a little and rub it on the area, and the epoxy comes off, and you get moisturized at the same time. That’s a win-win!
How to Use Epoxy Resin for Art
Epoxy resins are ideal for coating/sealing artwork, making projects with silicone molds, and creating wall art. They are versatile enough to be used on a variety of surfaces, including paper, wood, metal, ceramic, and more. When used as an adhesive, they are resistant to heat and humidity, making them ideal for outdoor projects.
For coating and sealing artwork, simply apply a layer of epoxy and let it dry completely before adding another coating. Always start with enough epoxy to get the surface covered with a little thickness. If you use too little, you will have issues. Fisheyes and dimples can form, and some spots will end up not being covered. However, if you use too much, it’s going to run off the sides a lot, which is just wasting this liquid gold. You can also get ripples and you have a higher chance of having bubbles get entrapped.
If you want to use molds with epoxy resin, make sure you are using silicone molds. As I’ve said, epoxy doesn’t stick to silicone, so it is perfect for molds. To make your epoxy a certain color, you’ll need to add something to it. That could be glitter, alcohol ink, acrylic paint, mica powder, additives made specifically for epoxy, and lots of other options. These are just the most popular, and you should have one of these on hand. Make sure to not add too much pigment to your epoxy or it won’t be able to cure correctly. Always start out with a small amount first to see if you get the opaqueness you want.
Benefits of Epoxy Resin for Art
– Strong Adhesives – Epoxy resins create strong bonds between different materials. It is a powerful bond that should last for years, if not forever.
– Versatile Colors – Colors can be added to epoxy resins to create diverse textures and effects. Color options are endless and you can go crazy and add metallic shavings, gold flakes, silver flakes, rocks, crystals, etc.
– Durable Finish – Epoxy resins produce durable results, making them a good choice for outdoor projects. When coating artwork, it will add depth and even make the artwork more vibrant. You can find UV-resistant and scratch-resistant resins readily available for purchase.
– Ease of Use – Epoxy resins are easy to use. Simply mix the ingredients and apply them to a surface. When having to mix something together, it really doesn’t get easier than a 1:1 ratio. A lot of people have a scale for weighing it and getting it precise, but I’m not gonna lie, I eyeball it all day, every day, and I’ve never had an issue, other than when I don’t thoroughly mix…whoops!
– Cost-Effective – Ok, when you look at pricing, you may not feel this way! However, the high-quality ingredients in epoxy resins do make them cost-effective. And if you aren’t doing countertops, tables, or some huge project, it really does last a while. The great thing is that most companies sell starter kits, so you can buy a small amount to see if you like it!
Types of Epoxy Resin for Art
– Art Epoxy – This is just what I call it, and every company is going to have a different name for this, but it’s the most common epoxy you’re going to find. It’s best for sealing artworks, using with shallow molds, and creating resin art, such as fluid art.
– UV Resin – This may not *technically* be epoxy, but you’re going to want it if you get into resin art. This comes in a small bottle, doesn’t need to be mixed, but usually smellllllls. This type of resin is perfect for making jewelry. It’s used mostly as a doming layer. It cures within minutes, but you have to use a UV light to cure it. If it’s sunny out, I’ll just stick my stuff outside, and it’ll be cured in like a minute!
– Fast Set Epoxy – This is like the art epoxy, but as the name states, it’s sets much faster. Regular art resins usually harden in about 24 hours (not cured, just touchable). Fast set, on the other hand, is ready to touch anywhere from 2-6 hours. This is fantastic for tumbler makers, as you can get started on the next step much quicker.
– Casting Resin – I recently just had my first foray with casting resin, and I was not disappointed! Do not make my mistake and try to do umpteen layers in a two inch thick mold with art resin. IT. DOESN’T. WORK. If you’re using a mold that is thicker than half an inch, just buy the casting resin. It is thinner than art resin, so it is able to release bubbles easier. You can pour a layer of half an inch to an inch (or more) at one time when using casting resin. It’s pretty awesome!
Conclusion
Epoxy resins are a versatile medium used to create durable, strong, or even flexible objects. They are cost-effective and easy to use, making them a great choice for beginners who want to learn more about this amazing medium. When you begin to explore the world of epoxy resins, you’ll quickly realize how many different types there are to choose from. Understanding their differences can help you choose the right one for your projects. And don’t forget to try experimenting with different resin types to see how they’ll work with different projects. To make the most of your epoxy resin experience, remember to follow safety precautions. Wear safety goggles and gloves to minimize the risk of injury, and use a respirator so you aren’t breathing it in. You should also keep your workspace clean and away from food and drink. Finally, store supplies safely so they don’t get contaminated or accidentally mixed together.
Now go get you some resin, make a bunch of beautiful things, and share them below! I’d LOVE to see what you create!