This is how it all began—using resin to coat my paintings! Years ago, all I did was paint, paint, paint... and then I discovered resin, and then I resined, resined, resined all of my paintings! The early ArtResin videos document all of this. Then I discovered that ArtResin is great for coating all kinds of things, and so now my creativity has gone in all kinds of directions (...photography ...jewelry making ...collage ...etc.). But in this video, I bring it back to where my passion for resin began: with painting.
In this particular piece from this video, I wanted to paint a waterlily, so I found an image of one online and printed it off, then transferred the image on my panel. Transferring the image is easy: just color over the back of the image completely and darkly with pencil. Then flip it over and trace over the outline of the lily. Where you trace, the pencil from the back of the paper will come off onto the panel underneath. Voilà! You have a transferred image ready to be painted in!
To coat a painting, your piece must first be completely dry. Even if paint seems dry to the touch, this could simply be the initial skin that has formed over the surface. The paint in the center may still be evaporating and if it comes into contact with resin before it is sufficiently dried, the result could be a cloudy cure or eventual discoloration/yellowing.
If the paint gives under pressure, feels tacky, soft, or cool to the touch, this can be an indication that the paint has not dried all the way through. Dry time can be longer than one might think: depending on the temperature, humidity, and how thick the paint has been applied, it can take weeks (and even years in the case of oil paint) to completely dry.
When you're ready to resin, pour equal parts from each bottle in the ArtResin kit into a mixing container. Mix thoroughly for at least 3 minutes, scraping the bottom and sides as you mix, and then pour and spread over your piece. I make sure to prop up and level the piece on some kind of stand so that when I pour the resin and it goes over the edge, it won't stick the painting to the table as it cures. If you see bubbles in the resin and want to be über efficient at popping them, use an Artist's Torch and quickly run it over the surface.
Next, just cover the entire piece with a box (open on one side, obviously) and leave it overnight to cure. When you return in the morning, you will be pleased to see a perfect pour and a professional-looking result!
