Resin art has been trending online for quite a while now, from making jewelry pieces to large home decor pieces. What makes it popular and why should you try this art technique?
The pandemic made almost everyone spent most of their time at home. Every month during quarantine, a new trend would dominate the internet, helping people discover their talents in cooking, gardening, or crafting.
One of the trends that help many stay busy during this difficult time is making things using resin, from dainty accessories to pretty coasters and dishes that capture the Instagram and Pinterest aesthetic.
What is Resin Art?
Resin art is a fun way to unleash your creativity by producing all sorts of things using resin. It is a unique compound of chemicals that become a more durable material when it hardens. Adding a hardener or exposing it to UV light can help the resin to solidify.
This art form has been around for years even before the pandemic. You probably have purchased several objects made of resin. But recently, many resin artists are sharing how they make their exquisite creations. Watching them pour the resin into molds is truly relaxing and satisfying.
Craft projects, like resin art, are a therapeutic activity, especially during a time when people can’t go out. Researchers suggest working on art helps minimize someone’s state of anxiety. Art also allows people to focus on positive things in their life and forget about their condition at some point.
Engaging in a crafting activity can also provide a person with dopamine, a chemical in the brain that gives feelings of enjoyment. People who experience depression often lack dopamine. Crafting can somehow help stimulate dopamine to make them happy.
What makes resin art appealing is that almost anyone can do it. This art technique does not require special skills or talents. You just have to be creative and have fun.
Getting Started in Resin Art
Resin allows you to create enchanting objects with their luminosity, clarity, brilliance, and depth. It offers limitless opportunities to express your creativity, from using different color pigments to a variety of casting types.
If you’re looking for a hobby to explore, get your crafting kits and be creative. All you need is resin, a pair of gloves, and some molds. For bigger objects, you may need additional equipment.
You can choose from four different types of resin for your project. These are epoxy, silicone, polyurethane, and polyester “fiberglass” resin. Epoxy resin is an ideal option if you’re making jewelry and other objects using molds. It is also the easiest to use for beginners.
Epoxy resins use a two-component system that includes resin and a hardener. When mixed together, the two components create a chemical reaction that solidifies the resin to become a solid plastic. You’ll end up with a high-gloss, clear surface.
Learn how you can use epoxy resin correctly for your art projects. Don’t confuse epoxy resin with polyurethane resin used for figurine hard castings. On the other hand, epoxy resin is a common coating material for smaller casting applications. So, you have to pour the epoxy resin into layers to cast in large volumes.
So, how do you know the epoxy resin you need for your project? Because of overwhelming options, ensure you choose the right resin for your art project. If you prefer a clear final project, use a clear resin. For an art project with a specific color, use one with colorants.
Epoxy resins are commonly applied to river tables. Choose an epoxy-casting resin if you need to fill something like a river table. But if you want to coat an object with resin, like a woven roving cloth, pick a coating resin for even surface application.
Resins have a pot life or the length of time when they stay liquid enough to work properly. The pot life and the curing time, or the time duration for the resin to harden, are important considerations. Using the accurate mix and proportions of the resin and hardener is critical for your resin art project’s success.
Working with resin for the first time can be intimidating. Once you’ve mastered the process, however, it will be fun. Here are the steps on how to use resin:
1. Mix the resin and the hardener
2. Pour into molds
3. Pop bubbles
4. Add more layers if needed
5. Let it cure
You can add several layers of resin, be it the same colors or different opacity. Follow the basic steps and feel free to experiment to achieve your desired result. Make sure to have different molds, pigments, and inks to create objects in different sizes, shapes, and colors.
Although molds are not necessary, you can’t make 3D pieces without them. You can pour the resin on objects to give them a glossy coating. It’s best to use on items like boards, canvas, and spoons, among others.
Silicone molds are the best option for your resin projects. They are available in craft stores and some grocery stores at a reasonable price. Most silicone molds, however, are made for food use so you may need to polish the finished pieces to remove any imperfections. Look for molds made for resin online and resin-specific resin shops for better results.
Apart from adding colors, you can also add some bits and bobs to your creations like glitter, dried flowers, gold leaf, and charms.
Your finished products can be a personal gift to your family members and friends. You can even sell them online to earn extra cash during the pandemic. Take beautiful photos of your works and share them online so people can see them.
Creating stunning objects using resin is a fun and therapeutic activity. No wonder it became popular during the pandemic. This art technique is easy to do and for everyone.