Covering your acrylic painting in a coating of ArtResin is easy - in fact, epoxy resin takes acrylic paintings next level, giving them a professional looking finish with a glossy sheen that makes colour pop!
We love using wooden art panelshere at ArtResin - you can mount your artwork and pour your resin directly on the panel! Some panels even have a raised lip specifically designed to contain resin - they make for a super easy pour with clean edges.
Measure, mix, pour, spread, cover and wait, and in 24 hours your acrylic painting will go from good to gorgeous!
Let's get started ....
Supplies:
- A 12 x 12"wooden art panel
- an acrylic painting to fit the panel OR acrylic paint and a paintbrush
- ArtResinepoxy resin
- A pair of nitrile gloves, a stir stick and spreader
- a level
- a measuring cup with easy to read measurement lines
- a mixing container
- a handheld torch like ourArtist's Torch
- toothpicks
- an empty plastic tote or cardboard box with the flaps cut off to protect your piece while it dries
Browse our Resin Art Accessories & Tools!
Steps:
1. Prepare your Acrylic Painting
You may choose to mount an acrylic painting onto the panel using an adhesive, or you can paint directly onto the wooden panel as we did. Sealing your acrylic painting is not required before applying ArtResin ... in fact, ArtResin is a sealant! It is, however, imperative to make sure your painting is completely dry before you apply your resin coat.
👉TIP: being an organic material, wood may contain trapped air which can release into the resin in the form of bubbles. There are many variables that can affect gas bubbles: the type of wood, how dry the wood is, humidity etc. Pre-sealing wood with a spray or brush-on sealant is an option to help to prevent bubbles. We always recommend testing so you know exactly what results to expect before you resin your final project. If in doubt, however, you can never go wrong by erring on the side of caution and pre-sealing. 
2. Calculate how much Resin you need
Using ourResin Calculator, simply enter the length and width of your piece to determine how much ArtResin you’ll need.
👉TIP: a standard 1/8" coating for a 12" x 12" panel requires 5 oz resin ( 2.5 oz resin and 2.5 oz hardener ). Measure the lip on your panel as they can vary. The panel in our video, for example, has a 1/4" lip. In order to fill it to the top, you'd use double the amount: 10oz total resin ( 5oz resin and 5oz hardener ).
3. Stir Thoroughly
Wearing gloves, measure accurately ( by volume ) precisely equal amounts of resin and hardener. Stir thoroughly for 3 minutes total, ensuring you scrape the bottom and sides of your mixing container as you go.
👉 TIP: for our very best measuring and mixing tips, read the blog How To Measure And Mix Resin And Hardener.
4. Pour the Resin
Pour the ArtResin onto the centre of your piece andspread it out to the edgesusing a plastic spreader or a popsicle stick. You'll have about 45 minutes of working time before the resin gets too thick to work with.
👉TIP: Read our blogHow To Pour And Spread Epoxy Resinfor more resin tips and techniques!
5.Use your Torch
Using yourArtist’s Torch, hold the flame a couple of inches above the resin surface just long enough to pop the bubbles, keeping the torch moving from side to side at all times.
👉TIP: if you're nervous about using a torch, don't be! Read our blog with all you need to know about How To Use A Torch On Epoxy Resin.
6. Final Check of your Resin Art
Once the piece has been torched, look at the resin in the lightfor any missed bubbles, tiny hairs orbits of dust, using a toothpick to fish them out.
7. Cover your Resin Art
With a plastic tote or a cardboard box ( with the flaps cut off ) cover your piece and let it sit for 24 hrs until it’s dry to the touch.
8. Wait 24 Hours
After 24hrs has passed, reveal your piece!
👉TIP: the resin will be dry to the touch at the 24hr mark. At this point, you'refree to hang and admire your artwork on the wall, absolutely, but if you're planning on packing and shipping your artwork, please wait at least 72hrs until the resin has fully cured.
We hope you found this informative and helpful!
Stay tuned for our upcoming episodes as we take you step-by-step on applying ArtResin over ALL of your favourite art materials including:
