Did you know that you can use various surfaces for resin painting? If you look around your home, you probably have many available that you have never considered before. This article will discuss several substrates that you can use making epoxy art.
If you are new to resin painting, you might want to get started with this resin art beginners guide.
1. Canvas
Canvas is a great surface to paint with resin. They come in a wide range of sizes and are pre-primed and ready to use. I like to do test pours on small canvases ranging in size from 6 inches to 12 inches square. This is great for working out color schemes or experimenting with techniques or resin colors. I usually do them on small canvases because they are inexpensive.
Then, once I’ve tested different color combinations and the method, I will do a “true pour” on a larger substrate such as cradled birch or others listed in this article.
💡 Pro tip: If you use a huge canvas for your pour, make sure you have added evenly spaced support underneath. Failure to evenly support your canvas will pool resin because the canvas surface will not stay level.
Before painting with resin, use a spray bottle to mist water over your canvas. Allow it to dry completely. This will tighten the canvas.
To prevent sagging in the center, add extra support under the canvas before starting your painting. I have found that anything 24” x 24” requires additional support. On that size canvas, I place paint stir sticks between the canvas and the wood frame. Once the painting has cured, remove them.
2. Cradled Birch & Wooden Artist Panel
Cradled birch and wooden art panels are more expensive than canvas but still affordable. These wood surfaces are my preferred surface for resin painting because sagging isn’t an issue, and they are very sturdy.
The cradled birch and wooden art panels work so well because the wood substrate is framed with more wood. This is what prevents the wood from warping. If you were doing a resin painting on a sheet of plywood or a wood panel from the hardware store, your artwork would twist because it isn’t secured with the frame.
Priming cradled birch and wooden artist panels is a matter of personal preference. Primed boards make the colors pop because you’re pouring them on a white surface. If you use translucent resin colors in your pours, it is wise to prime your board before pouring. Otherwise, if you are painting with opaque colors in your resin, there is no need to prime the surface.
When pouring on cradled birch and wooden artist panels, you need to consider how you want the sides to look when the painting is complete. You have two choices on how to treat the sides of your substrate:
Allow the resin to flow off the sides
By allowing your epoxy resin to flow over the edges of the panel, your painting will continue to the sides. This look can be pretty stunning. Before pouring:
1. Put a thin layer of petroleum jelly on the underside of your substrate, starting at the edge and going inward about an inch. This will help keep the resin from curing on the underside of your painting.
2. After you finish, drag a popsicle stick along the underside to help remove the extra resin. You’ll need to do this several times as your painting cures since resin for art continues to self-level as it cures.
3. After the resin cures, use a cloth or paper towel to wipe off the petroleum jelly and resin drips.
Tape off the sides
Taping off the sides of your substrate will help keep your sides clear of resin. I prefer to use two-inch wide flashing tape because it adheres to the substrate well. You can purchase flashing tape at your local hardware store. It is a stiffer tape made from aluminum and looks like regular aluminum foil.
You’ll need to apply the tape to your substrate so that it sits at least half an inch higher than the surface of your substrate. Use a plastic credit card to smooth the tape over the edges of your substrate. Ensure there are no wrinkles or bubbles and that the tape has firmly adhered to your substrate. The tape will keep the resin contained on the surface of the substrate.
After the resin cures, peel the tape off. You’ll probably need to sand the edges with extra fine-grit sandpaper to remove any sharp or uneven spots. You can either leave the sides of your substrate unfinished or paint in your choice of color.
3. MDF Board
Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is an engineered wood product and is generally denser than plywood. These make great surfaces for resin painting because they come in a wide range of sizes and shapes. They are relatively inexpensive and can be found at your local craft store and online. They require no priming.
Like with the cradled birch and wooden artboards, you can prime the surface if you wish for your colors to really pop.
4. Vinyl Records
Vinyl records make excellent substrates for small resin paintings. If you don’t have any packed up somewhere, head to your local Goodwill store. They often have entire albums or box sets for sale for about $1 each. You can also find inexpensive used vinyl records on eBay.
Tape the hole in the center to prevent resin from dripping through to the other side. I prefer to prime vinyl records before I start painting so that I am working on a white surface. Otherwise, some colors won’t show up as well against the black background.
Always put a thin layer of petroleum jelly on the outer edge of the same side as the tape. This will help keep the resin from sticking to the backside of your painting. When the painting has cured, wipe the petroleum jelly off the back with a paper towel or dry cloth. If you have any resin drips, trim with a pair of scissors or an Exacto knife.
If you use a heat gun or torch to manipulate the resin and remove air bubbles, do so carefully. Keep the heat at least 4 inches from the surface of your record, and avoid focusing the heat in one place for more than a few seconds. Too much heat will warp your record.
5. Tile
Tile is another of my favorite surfaces for resin artwork. You can use glazed or unglazed tiles. Both will work well. Regular white square bathroom tiles can be found at your local hardware store for about half a dollar each. Resined tiles make great coasters or trivets. They require no priming and make for quick projects as well as great.
So now that you’ve picked out a surface for your resin painting, what supplies do you need?
Check out our {FREE} downloadable guide that shares all the supplies you need for epoxy pouring.
Want more help getting started with resin painting?
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Originally written by Becky Wanamaker
Unpublished Blog Posts of Resin Obsession, LLC © 2024 Resin Obsession, LLC
