While many people associate resin with being very hard, that is not the case! Depending on what type of resin you use and how much liquid you pour onto it, it can be quite soft. Some types of resin are even referred to as plasticized glass because they contain additives that make them more fluid.
Many artists use resins in their painting techniques to give their works additional strength. When mixed properly, acrylic paint will gel or solidify (solidification is usually done with transparent paints) when enough time has passed after application. This helps preserve the layer of paint going down into the pores of the surface you apply it to.
Some popular uses for resin include glazes, underglaze applications, and full cover coats depending on the thickness desired. Because it is such a versatile medium, there are many ways to use it in your art! This article will discuss some easy ways to use acrylic paint in your work as an advanced beginner.
How to choose resin
While many people use polymerized plastic as “resin,” you should always check that material against our definition of resin. That is, it must contain at least two components-and-or atoms of silicon and/or titanium. Polymerized plastics do not qualify!
Some types of polyester resins are made with silicone or titianium powder which makes them similar to regular acrylic paints in some respects (they can be mixed together and used just like any other paint). Check out our article: Why Is My New Fingernail Look Funny Or Gapped? for more information about why this is important.
We don’t recommend using these types of polyester resin because they are usually much costlier than ordinary acrylics.
Equipment you need
When working with resin, or any other kind of painting material that requires heat to set, you will want appropriate equipment. Luckily, most craft stores have resins in stock so you do not have to worry about buying them online!
Some pieces of equipment needed are a mixing pot, a brush for applying paint onto the surface, a torch to apply heat, and scoops to take out excess liquid once it has dried.
It is important to be careful when using your torch as too much direct heat can actually burn off some of the resin, making it less durable. Make sure to mix the paint with the correct amount of resin in a separate container before heating it up.
How to mix resin
Mixing your own resin is an excellent way to learn how to do it! While most people purchase pre-made resins, you can easily make your own so that they are not expensive anymore.
Mixing your own resin starts with mixing both colors of acrylic paint together in a ratio of 1 part color to 2 parts medium (such as alcohol). This mixture is called a base. The liquid needed for the next step is also mixed in this same amount.
The second ingredient is resin. It comes either dried or powder form and needs to be rehydrated before use.
After adding the right amount of resin to the base, the mixture must be stirred properly until it has melted down and combined. At this stage, the mixture is still solid but will take shape when pressed.
Once it is fully set, you can then pour it into molds or shapes such as bottles to create your finished product.
How to use resin
Now that you have your primer, color gel, and liquid resin, it is time to work with them! When working with resin, there are two main types of projects you can create.
You can either mix the resin with another product or you can apply it directly onto your surface. The first way is using an acid-base mixture to combine the resin with another material. For example, when painting wood, adding some acryllic paint into the resin and mixing it in will give you more depth and luster to the painted item.
The second method is applying the resin directly onto a surface. This is done by letting the brush loaded with resin dry for a few minutes before coating the area with the glue. Once applied, let the item air dry and buff out the top layer to see how much depth was achieved.
How to clean resin
When working with resin, it is important to remember that you will be painting it onto another material or coating. This means there are two main types of resins: matte and glossy.
Glossy resin can easily be painted over using regular acrylic paint, but for most projects, we recommend starting with mattes. A universal primer such as gesso or water color wash can be used to set a base for the resin.
From there, dry brushing or rubbing different colors in the area where the resin will go is an excellent way to add depth and texture. Once these steps have been completed, let the resin dry! The longer it takes to dry, the more solid the layer will be.
Color your resin just like any other medium! If some areas seem darker or lighter than others, repeat the steps mentioned above until they are even.
Tips for resin
When working with resin, your paint can sometimes settle in the pot as it sets. This is not a problem unless you want to use the piece as intended!
If this happens, simply heat up the area again with a hairdryer or the oven and let it dry. The plastic will set and bond back together!
Never put pressure on top of the resin while it is still wet as this could cause bubbles or cracks.
Resin finishes
Another popular way to color resin is using acrylic paints as glazes. While some refer to this method as “painting” onto the piece, it is more accurately described as coloring because the paint does not stick to the resin surface.
Acrylics are typically mixed in a proportion of oil or acetone with alcohol. The alcohol will eventually evaporate, leaving only the painted residue!
Some experts suggest baking pieces made from resin in a oven to promote dryness. This allows the painting to set properly and possibly cause a plasticizing effect, making the colors blend together slightly.
Overall, however, there is no need to bake pieces that have been glazed with acrylic paints unless they are totally dried out.
Resin as a sealant
Another way to use resin is as a sealing or hardening agent for other materials. When used in this capacity, it is typically referred to as polymerized acrylic.
You can mix your acrylic paints with powdered resin and then apply them like normal paint layers. After applying a layer of resin coated acrylic paint, let dry and you have yourself an effective plastic sealant!
These seals may be thin, but they will keep everything protected from moisture and contaminants for a while. We recommend experimenting with some small projects before doing larger ones so that you are sure it works properly.