How To Make Ocean Resin Art

This is a how to article for making ocean resin art. It is centered around love for coastal art and has a playful tone to it. It answers frequently asked questions about resin art and gives detailed instructions on how to make ocean resin art.

How To Make Ocean Resin Art

When we can’t be near the ocean, we can always bring the ocean to us! Not literally, unfortunately, but we can bring the vibe of the sea to our homes through decorations.

If you’re looking for a new coastal piece for your home, then you’re in the right place.

We are going to share with you how to make a beautiful work of art that depicts the ocean. It’s shiny and the waves look ultra-realistic. We’re talking about resin artwork!

Layers of glossy resin create a realistic ocean that shows depth and movement. Ocean resin art pieces almost look like photographs of the sea. You can turn the surface of a table, canvas, piece of wood or glass, or coaster into a marine masterpiece!

We are going to walk you through the process of making your own ocean resin artwork.

What is resin

Resin is a viscous gel-like liquid made up of several chemicals that becomes a solid, similar to plastic but glossier and sturdier. It can be used in many different projects. Resin is used in woodworking, jewelry making, tabletop art, wall art, and casting.

Epoxy resin is generally what is used for art projects. It is a translucent solution that color can be added to and when it cures it becomes glossy and firm. Cured resin just means it is in its dry form.

Resin is a two-part solution, meaning there are multiple parts to mix together. Once cured, the resin is hardened.

The history of resin art

In 1934, epoxy resin was patented by a German man named Paul Schlack. A Swiss chemist named Pierre Castan popularized using resin for dental prosthetics. Resins were used industrially, until around the 40’s and 50’s, when artists began to utilize epoxy resin for their work.

Today resin is used for myriad artistic purposes and is readily available.

What is the best resin to use for an art project?

For a resin art project you want to use epoxy resin. Kits can be bought from craft stores and online, but the best of the best is Smooth-On’s EpoxAcast 690. It is durable and clear and is the most high quality resin for a surface coat project.

Is resin art expensive?

You can get a resin art kit on Amazon that includes measuring cups, stirring sticks, 8oz of resin and 8oz of hardener. These start at around $17. However if you are looking to create a flawless masterpiece you may want to invest in more expensive materials. The higher the price, the better the quality.

Cheap resin can often result in air bubbles, slower curing time or even failure to cure. A trial unit of EpoxAcast690 is $36.83 and contains 2.6 pounds. A gallon costs $121.42.

How much resin

The amount of resin you need to use depends on the project. If you are doing a coaster it would be about 3oz of resin but you can mix more as needed for bigger projects. You’ll likely use around 30 oz for a large board.

Summary of making resin art

You will need the resin components and a surface to pour the resin over. It could be a piece of wood, Plexiglas, glass, or metal. Do not use a canvas because they are not sturdy enough to withstand the weight of the resin. Be sure to get a nice flat base for your project.

Resin is a sticky solution prior to curing, so you’ll want to cover the surface you work on and wear gloves. It is very hard to clean up. Don’t work with it in nice clothing, wear old an old t shirt and a heavy duty apron is a good idea. Use tongue depressors or popsicle sticks for stirring since they can just be disposed of afterwards.

You combine equal amounts of the resin and the harder. Then it requires lots of stirring until the solution is clear. Be sure to scrape the sides of the inside of the container to get everything fully incorporated.

You use pigments to color the resin in several different shades of blue. To get the ocean look requires strategic layering of the different colors that you pour across the surface. You need to let each layer cure before pouring another layer. This adds depth to make it look more realistic.

You use blue colored resin to make the ocean and white alcohol ink to make the waves. You can also pour sand colored resin for the beach, or you could just use a piece of wood that already has a sandy color.

To make the waves look realistic you can use a heat gun to push around the ink and create a nice effect.

If you want to create an even more realistic and 3D look you can add seashells and sand to the beachy part. When the resin hardens, they will be encased in it.

How to make ocean resin art on wood step by step directions

1.To prep your space be sure to cover the surface you’re working on and the floor. You could use newspaper or a disposable tablecloth. Make sure the room is well ventilated because you don’t want to breath in the chemicals from the resin.

2. Have all your supplies ready:

·Rubber gloves

·Tongue depressor or craft stick

·Plastic container to measure out the resin, could use a mouth wash cup

or empty yogurt container

·Resin and resin hardener

·Blue and white pigments

·Wooden board

·Heat gun

·sand

3.Measure out equal parts of resin and hardener solution. Use a wooden stick to mix it.

4.Divide the mixture into four parts.

5.Add a few drops of blue to one mixture. Use no more color than 6% of the resin solution, otherwise it will start to cure prematurely. You can use oil paint, acrylic paint, alcohol ink, resin dye, or pigments.

6.Add fewer drops of blue into another mixture. You want two different shades of blue. One a dark blue and the other a lighter blue, almost turquoise. You could use different amounts of one shade of blue or get two different shades.

7.Add sand to the third mixture to make it a thick and gritty sand-colored mixture.

8.The last mixture should be tinted white.

9.Plan out a layout for your resin. You can create different patterns for the water. The waves can be horizontal across the board or at a slant.

10.Start with the sandy mixture. Pour it on one half of the board and begin smearing it around with you gloved hand. You could also use a wooden stick.

11.Let it sit a few hours to harden so when you pour the next layers they don’t mix too much

12.Start pouring the lighter blue mixture next to the sand mixture so that they are touching. Smear the resin across the board, leaving a space for the darker

blue resin.

13.Pour the darker blue resin mixture next to the lighter blue and begin to smear it around, letting the edges blend with the lighter blue.

14.Pour strips of the lighter blue and darker blue across the ocean part and smear them in to create a nice gradient effect.

15.Drizzle the white resin length-wise where the sand meets the water and in strips going across the water part.

16.Use a heat gun to push the white resin around, creating lacing and ripples that look like real waves. A hairdryer will also work but it will move the waves more.

17.Drizzle more strands of blue and make white waves as you see fit, this layering creates a depth.

18.If you want you can add little seashells to the uncured resin and they will be secured once resin cures fully

19.Let cure for 24 hours

That’s it! Now your piece is ready to be displayed! This piece will add some coastal charm to any home. It is the perfect decoration for a beach house!