Kelsey Garland Is June's #ArtResin Winner!
Every month we like to spread the love by sending a 1 gallon kit to a couple of artists who have tagged us on Instagram ... and then we share their work with the world!
Congratulations to Kelsey Garland ... our 1st lucky winner for June!
Kelsey is a mixed media artist based out of Tacoma, Washington who creates whimsical layered paintings on alcohol ink coasters. Kelsey paints mermaids, birds, butterflies and florals but currently, her favourite subjects are bees.
Kelsey starts her process with a coaster made from alcohol ink dropped in ArtResin, and cast in a silicone mold. ( Want to know how to make a coaster like this? Check out our blog How To Make A Resin Coaster and forward to 12:42 )
Once the coaster has cured, Kelsey sands down the surface in order to create some tooth for her paint to adhere to. Using acrylic, oil and sometimes encaustic, Kelsey paints her design on multiple resin layers to create depth and a 3D effect. First, she paints a honeycomb background using gold acrylic paint on the coaster.
Once the paint has dried, she pours on a second coat of ArtResin overtop.
After the second resin layer has cured, she sands it down once again and paints her bee directly onto the sanded resin using oil paint - scroll through to see each step.
Once the oil paint has thoroughly dried, it gets a final top coat of ArtResin. Note how the resin not only restores the clarity to the sanded resin but also gives the bee a 3D pop!
She uses the same process for her mermaid pieces ... painting background details on an alcohol ink coaster, applying a fresh coat of ArtResin, and sanding and painting her main subject before finishing the whole piece off with a glossy resin topcoat.
Kelsey uses a similar process on wood coasters. First she paints a honeycomb background with gold acrylic.
Then gives it a resin coat ....
Next Kelsey starts painting her subject on the dried, sanded resin ...
... before beginning her bee.
Next is a coat of glossy ArtResin to really saturate the colour and protect her painting for the longterm!
Congratulations on your win, Kelsey!
To see more of Kelsey's work:
Follow her on Instagram: @kelsey_garlandart
Check out her Etsy page: Kelsey Garland Art
Don't forget ... tag YOUR ArtResin work with @art_resin on Instagram, and YOU could be our next monthly winner!!!
Why Does My Epoxy Resin Mixture Feel Hot?
Once you combine the resin and hardener, a chemical reaction starts to happen that is the beginning of the curing process. As with many chemical reactions. heat is a normal byproduct of this. Heat output is greater with the larger quantities of resin that you use. You’ll be happy to know that ArtResin is protected against the yellowing that can be caused by thermal energy, i.e. heat.⚠️PLEASE NOTE: Pour your resin and hardener mixture as soon as possible after you've finished stirring. Measuring and mixing your resin and hardener should always be your last step, so make sure you have your workstation, tools and artwork prepped before you start. Unless it is spread out over a larger surface area , the resin and hardener mixture will continue to heat up if allowed to sit in the mixing container. This can prompt an exothermic reaction in which the resin heats up very quickly and cures prematurely.
ArtResin: Made For Artists, By Artists.
How Can I Easily Clean Up Epoxy Resin?
Easy epoxy resin clean up starts with your prep work.Line your work surface with a vinyl shower curtain or tablecloth and have drop sheets on the ground to keep clean up simple. Always wear disposable nitrile gloves to protect your hands from a sticky mess, as well as possible skin irritation. ArtResin does not adhere to plastic so we recommend working with reusable plastic tools such as a spreader, stir stick and mixing container for easy clean up.
⚠️PLEASE NOTE: Don't ever pour leftover epoxy resin down the drain! Instead, wipe any excess resin from your container and tools with paper towel. Wipe down once more with rubbing alcohol or acetone to remove any resin residue. Next, wash with hot soapy water if desired. Or, simply allow any remaining residue to simply cure right on your plastic tools and peel it off the next day once it has dried.
ArtResin: Made For Artists, By Artists
How To Resin A Large Photo Print
Though the idea of coating a large format print may seem daunting, the process of applying ArtResin is the exactly same whether your piece is large or small. Photographer Silviu Agotici recently finished off a large photo print with a coat of ArtResin, posting a video on his YouTube channel to share exactly how it's done.
Let's take a look ...
Silviu Agotici captures urban life through landscapes and city scenes snapped all over the world, including this stunning shot of Toronto's CN Tower taken from the roof of a downtown apartment building. Silviu had the image made into a digital chromogenic dye print which he then mounted onto aluminum composite using 3M spray adhesive.
Propping the print up and off of his work surface, Silviu removed any surface dust using a can of compressed air and wiped the print down with a lint free cloth to remove any smudges or fingerprints.
Next, Silviu mixed up enough resin and hardener to cover his 70x31 print, in two separate containers for ease of use, scraping the sides and bottom of his mixing vessels as he stirred.
ArtResin is an easy to use 1:1 epoxy resin, meaning it requires equal parts of resin and hardener measured by volume. Stirred for 3 minutes, it allows you approximately 40 minutes working time before it gets too thick to spread.
💡TIP: Not sure how much ArtResin you need for your project? Simply visit our Resin Calculator and enter in the dimensions of your artwork to find out exactly how much resin and hardener you need for an approximate 1/8" layer.
After he had thoroughly mixed for at least 3 minutes, Silviu poured and spread the resin directly on top of his photo print, allowing it to run off the edges. He did not use a sealant. Glossy photo paper does not generally require a sealant as its shiny surface allows the resin to sit on top without absorbing. However, for matte photos ( which may absorb the resin ) or if you simply want to err on the side of caution, you can certainly seal your photo using a spray sealant marked safe for photos.
💡TIP: We always recommend testing your particular materials out with ArtResin on a test piece so you know exactly what to expect before you resin your final project.
Last, Silviu quickly ran a propane torch over the entire surface of the resin to eliminate any bubbles for a professional, flawless finish.
Silviu allowed his print to cure for 24 hours until it was dry to the touch. Because he constructed a dust tent using plastic drop sheets, he did not need to cover his final piece with a domed cover, but this is certainly an option for smaller pieces of art. Here at ArtResin, we use cardboard boxes or plastic totes to cover our pieces while they cure.
⚠️PLEASE NOTE: ArtResin is recognized by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) as meeting safety standard D-4236: Safe for Home Use when used in a well ventilated area.
The enclosed dust tent that Silviu created is a good example of an area that would NOT be considered well ventilated. As such, he took the necessary precaution of using a respirator ( you can see this in parts of his video. ) Please ensure you wear a respirator in a non-ventilated area ( and, of course, feel free to wear a respirator in a well-ventilated space if you wish. )
The end result is a vibrant, glossy, professional looking piece of artwork that would look equally good at home or hanging on a gallery wall. Whether it's a painting or a photograph, ArtResin epoxy resin provides that gorgeous, shiny clear coat that takes artwork next level.
Special thanks to Silviu Agotici for sharing his video with us!
To see more of Silviu's gorgeous photography:
Visit his website: www.silviuagotici.com
Follow him on Instagram: @sagotici
@lorieslaterfoto Is May's #ArtResin Winner!
Every month we like to spread the love by sending a 1 gallon kit to a couple of artists who have tagged us on Instagram ... and then we share their work with the world!
Congratulations to Lorie Slater ... our 2nd lucky winner for May!
Lorie Slater is a photographer who uses her camera to document what she loves most: the places and things in the city of Toronto where she lives. From streetcars and signs to iconic landmarks and architectural elements, Lorie captures the heart and soul of the city in her work.
Lorie's shots of streetcars, subway stations, and highway signage capture the energy of how people move through the city.
Each of Lorie's photos are mounted on wood panels and coated with 2-4 layers of ArtResin. Each image is a limited edition with a numbered run of 25: these may be in the form of 6x6 minis or large format panels. Her largest work to date is 48x72.
Congratulations on your win, Lorie!
To see more:
Check out Lorie's website: www.lorieslater.com
Follow Lorie on Instagram: @lorieslaterfoto
Don't forget ... tag YOUR ArtResin work with @art_resin on Instagram, and YOU could be our next monthly winner!!!
How To Photograph Your Resin Art Like A Pro
Great shots of your artwork is an important marketing tool for any artist: beautiful images draw the viewer in and can help sell your art. While a few reflections are an advantage to show off epoxy resin's shine, its high gloss finish can sometimes cause challenging hotspots and glare. Photographer Geoff George shares his techniques for proper lighting and camera positioning so that you can capture shots of your artwork like a pro! With Geoff's simple, inexpensive and effective set up, you'll never have to settle for shots with too much glare again.It's easy to avoid unwanted reflections in a high gloss surface like epoxy resin if you understand what causes them. Geoff walks us through how to troubleshoot your workspace, set up your camera, lights, and how to use photo editing software to capture the truest representation of your artwork.
What You'll Need:
- a shooting environment large enough to space out your lights and tripod and allows for controlled lighting ( curtains to block daylight etc )
- a solid coloured wall to shoot against
- camera
- tripod
- 2 identical, bright copy lights ( you can use model lights from strobes, video lights, work lights etc. )
- black fabric for blocking out light
- computer with photo editing software such as Photoshop ( optional )
Set Up Your Artwork:
Hang your artwork on a wall, preferably on a solid coloured background. It's always a good idea to start with your largest item first to set the parameters for the amount of space you'll need.
💡TIP: You can lean your artwork against the wall, as long as the angle stays parallel to the camera. If the artwork isn't parallel, you can end up getting distorted angles in your shot, making your artwork look like a trapezoid instead of a rectangle, for example.
Set Your Camera Up On A Tripod:
Make shooting much easier by keeping the camera locked in one position at all times. Position the tripod so that the camera lens is straight on and centred in the middle of the artwork at an exactly parallel angle. If your camera lens is off to the side or is at a different angle than the artwork, you may create a perspective problem that can distort the shape.
Fill the frame of your camera with your artwork to ensure your image has good resolution and doesn't require a lot of cropping in post-production. Move the camera closer or further away or adjust the zoom until the frame is filled.
For ease of use in post production, you can tether the camera up to computer editing software while you're shooting.
💡TIP: You can fix some issues in post production, but it's always best to capture a shot that's as straight as possible right from the start.
Work In A Controlled Environment:
The best environment for shooting is an environment with controlled light sources, especially when you're shooting a high gloss surface like resin. Taking photos in a space with both studio lights and ambient light ( such as daylight coming through the windows ) can create significant glare and uneven lighting. These can be obvious in your final shot and difficult to correct after the fact.
Be particularly mindful of windows: they are the biggest source of light and reflections. If a window is behind your camera, you may need to turn your whole set around and shoot against a different wall so that window is no longer behind you.
💡TIP: Close window blinds and adjust ceiling/room lights as necessary in order to control all the light hitting your artwork
Proper Lighting Set Up:
When photographing a reflective surface like resin, you should never use the camera's flash or light it from the same angle as the camera or you'll end up with light bouncing right back at you ( much like the hot spot you'd get from a flash camera in a mirror. ) To get an equal, even wash of light that won't create reflections or shadows on your artwork, Geoff recommends placing two identical copy lights, set at about 45 degrees, on either side of your artwork.
You can use a variety of lights such as model lights from strobes, video lights, even work lights, but best practice is to use the brightest lights you can to provide even, flat lighting and two of the exact same lights to ensure they don't cast different amounts of light or different colours of light. You can use soft boxes but they tend to cast a bigger wash of light that can bounce off of other things in the room, creating even more reflections to deal with.
The diagram below shows a good, basic set up for photographing resin art.
- The camera is positioned front and centre with the artwork.
- The lighting comes from two identical lights, spaced equally from the camera and at a 45 degree angle from the artwork to provide even light without reflections.
Test Your Shadows With The Pencil Trick:
Use Geoff's simple pencil test to ensure the two side lights are evenly spaced: hold a pencil up against the wall ( centred with your artwork ) to see if shadows are even. If one shadow is darker, move the the corresponding light back and test again. When the shadows are identical, you know your lighting is even and you can move on to adjusting your camera settings.
Adjust Your Camera's Exposure And Colour Balance:
Two key settings to be aware of are exposure and colour balance.
Exposure determines the image's lightness and darkness and can be controlled by adjusting the shutter speed and aperture. To change the exposure, adjust the camera's shutter speed and aperture settings to find the point where the image looks true.
Balance refers to how warm or cool the colours in your image will look and is determined by the light source in your room. Balance is why it's important to have only one controllable light source in your shooting space: daylight from an open window will provide a very different light than studio lights and the two lights mixed together make it tricky to adjust for. To find the appropriate setting, look under White Balance on your camera, go through the presets and see which one gives you the truest representation of your artwork.
Even the most basic point and shoot camera offers a menu of settings in order to make simple adjustments. Every camera is different, however, so familiarize yourself with the instructions to learn how to make easy corrections on your camera.
Adjust Lights And Artwork For Reflections:
Your darkest piece of artwork is the best place to start as it's the most accurate indication of reflections. Remember, a couple of reflections are a good way to show off ArtResin's glossy surface. What you want to do is examine your artwork, determining the source of glare and hotspots and find a way to minimize them by shading or moving unwanted lights. This may include:
- adjust the position of your side lights
- closing curtains
- turning ceiling lights off or adjusting other lights in the room so they don't bounce light off of the tripod or other items in the room
- using black fabric to further block light
Make adjustments and take a few test shots. Once you're happy with what you see, you're ready to shoot!
💡TIP: If you notice edge reflections, especially if your artwork has curved edges, they may be caused by the copy lights. Hang your artwork on one corner so that it sits on a 45 degree angle to see if it minimizes them or removes them to the corners. Remember to tilt your camera to match your artwork correspondingly so that you have a straight picture once again
Edit Your Shot With Photo Software:
Once you've taken your shot and made sure you have a crisp, evenly lit image with no reflections, good colour balance and exposure, you may now use photo manipulating software such as Photoshop in order to:
- clean up any issues such as scratches or smudges on your artwork
- check for colour accuracy or to saturate, adjust or change colour
- adjust exposure
- adjust sharpness or selective focus
- edit photos, change the background or to apply filters
- minimize file size
You may find that your lights have cast some shadows. Here are three quick ways to deal with them in post:
1) You can crop the image right to the edges of your artwork:
2) You can cut out the image ( close cut it ) and set it on a white background:
3) Taking your close cut image from step 2, add a duplicate layer and add a drop shadow ( found in the list of options in Photoshop. )
Shoot Small Artwork On The Floor With Your Phone:
A good option for photographing a small piece of artwork is to place it on the floor and shoot directly from overhead. You can use the same lighting set up as you would for work hung on the wall, adjusting the lights as necessary. If your tripod allows for it, mount your camera on the centre column that tilts 90 degrees over your piece for a bird's eye view. Alternatively, stand over your piece ( or stand on a chair ) and use your phone's camera.
💡TIP: When shooting an item on the floor, make sure you shoot directly overhead so that the image remains square in the frame and doesn't get distorted.
A Few Tips To Remember:
- Try out the standard copy lighting set up Geoff George recommends and see if it works for you.
- Make sure each of your lights are identical and placed at the same distance from the artwork and the camera to create an even wash of light. Adjust lights as necessary to reduce glare and hotspots.
- Use the pencil test to ensure that your copy lights are even.
- Remember, a little reflection is ok so to show off epoxy resin's shiny finish.
- Control the lighting by eliminating all other sources of light, including daylight from windows, ceiling lights and table lamps. Use black fabric to block out light.
- Align your camera so that it's perfectly centred with your artwork and at an exactly parallel angle.
- Use post production photo editing software such as Photoshop for final edits and tweaks to colour, light, cropping etc.
You've put in time and effort to create a beautiful piece of art so it's worth the same time and effort to capture beautiful photos of it! Great images of your art can make a big difference in your marketing and sales. It may take a little time to learn, but once you can troubleshoot the issues to get a look you're happy with, taking great photographs of your resin art is relatively easy.
Featured Artwork created by:
@bexzakart
@brittleeart
To see more of Geoff George's work:
visit his website at www.geoffgeorge.com
follow him on Instagram at @geoffgeorgephoto
Can Epoxy Resin Be Tinted?
Yes, ArtResin looks beautiful when it’s tinted. ArtResin can be tinted with our own ResinTint liquid colorant, as well as other materials. Simply drop the colorant into the mixture while stirring for an all over saturated color.Regardless of the material you choose just be aware that a little goes a long way. Don't add more than 6% of the total volume of mixed resin and hardener. Adding more colorant than this may interfere with the delicate balance necessary for the epoxy resin's chemical reaction to take place, thereby preventing your ArtResin from curing properly.
You can use a variety of materials to tint ArtResin:
- Acrylic paint or acrylic ink can be used keeping in mind, of course, that acrylics are a plastic so it will produce a more opaque look and often greatly decreases the working time.
- Oil paint really is not an option. It gets all stringy and weird and you don’t want to bother with it.
-
Alcohol ink looks beautiful in ArtResin especially for creating petri dish art.
⚠️PLEASE NOTE: Keep in mind that alcohol is a solvent so it will compromise the non-toxicity of the ArtResin and cause a flammability risk when torched as alcohol is a solvent. Wear a respirator when adding alcohol ink to ArtResin.
All 24 ResinTint colorants are non-toxic and crafted for compatibility with ArtResin epoxy resin, preserving the glossiness and translucency of the resin while not posing a flammability risk when torched.
If you’re looking for more information on ResinTint we have a whole ResinTint 101 Series that will answer all of your questions.
Can I Use Epoxy Resin On Fabric?
Yes you can. Epoxy resin will make fabric stiff and rock hard after it cures. Be advised that, like most natural objects, epoxy resin may make fabric look wet and may even cause it to go darker or alter its colour. Try testing with water first - that’s what it will look like when you put resin on it.Feel free to use ArtResin on any fabric you want, but we always advise testing first to make sure you know exactly what results to expect.
ArtResin: Made For Artists, By Artists
What Type Of Glue Should I Use To Mount Paper To A Surface Before I Resin?
From school glue to archival, there are lots of different types and qualities of glue available, at all price points. No matter which glue you choose, make sure you use a glue that dries clear and that doesn't contain much water so it won’t ripple the paper that you’re using. A spray adhesive or even a glue stick works really well.
To mount your piece evenly and securely, cover the entire back of your piece with the glue of your choice. Ensure the coverage is even and you don't miss any spots - you want to make sure the paper completely bonds to the substate. Then, very carefully, roll the print out bit by bit onto your substrate making sure that no air pockets are trapped underneath. Next, take a clean piece of paper and a brayer and roll on top of your piece making sure, once again, all those bubbles are out and that the piece is adhered securely.
Allow enough time for the glue to dry thoroughly before you apply your ArtResin.
How To Mount A Print Before You Resin:
Applying adhesive to a wood panel with a lip
- Apply an even coat of adhesive to the entire panel, ensuring the edges are thoroughly covered.
- Starting with the edge closest to you, line up your print with the edge of the panel and gently lay the rest of the print down.
- Lay a piece of paper on your print to protect it and, using a brayer, roll back and forth applying gentle, even pressure to remove any air pockets and ensure the print bonds to the wood panel.
- Pay particular attention to the edges to make sure there is a good bond to prevent any resin from getting under the print and soaking in.
- Allow the glue to dry and you're ready to resin!
Applying adhesive to a flat wood panel ( no lip )
- Line up your print evenly on the wood panel.
- Using a spring clamp, clamp it to the edge of the table, ensuring you slip a piece of paper under the clamp to protect your print.
- Lifting up the far half of the print which isn't clamped, apply an even spray of adhesive. Lay down your print.
- Apply a piece of paper over your print to protect it, roll a brayer over your print to remove any air pockets and to ensure a good, even bond.
- Flip the panel around and repeat the process on the other side.
- Allow the glue to dry and you're ready to resin!
How To Get A Matte Resin Finish
Epoxy resin is valued for its high gloss protection but, from time to time, you may prefer the look of something less shiny on your artwork.
The matting agents typically used with epoxy resin are highly toxic, but did you know that with some wet sandpaper, wax and a little elbow grease you can create a gorgeous non-gloss finish, without any chemicals or solvents? It’s true!
Is it easy to do? Sure is.
Does it look good? So good.
Let's take a closer look ....
In addition to not having to use any highly toxic solvents ( read more about matting agents here ), the process of wet sanding and waxing your resined surface allows you to control the exact amount of shine on your finish: polish more for a shiny surface and less for a matte surface. Either way, you can get a gorgeous, buttery, smooth, matte finish without ever having to sacrifice any of protection and colour saturation ArtResin gives to your artwork.
What You'll Need:
- a piece of resined artwork cured for 72 hrs before sanding.
💡TIP: Since we are only lightly sanding the surface with fine sandpaper in order to adjust the finish, one coat of ArtResin should be enough. Feel free, however, to apply a second coat of resin for peace of mind.
- a dust mask
Always wear a protective mask when sanding resin to avoid inhaling dust particles.
- wet/dry sandpaper in a variety of fine/extra fine grits
Since we are sanding only to change the finish of the resin, fine and extra fine paper will suffice - we used 320, 600 and 1500. Ensure you use WET/DRY sandpaper.
💡TIP: If the surface of your resin is uneven or you have an imperfection to sand out, start first with a coarse DRY sandpaper like 80 or 120 grit to even out the surface, followed by a 220 WET/DRY to help smooth out scratches.
- electric sander
Small pieces can easily be sanded by hand. For larger pieces, you'll want to use an electric sander.
- spray bottle of water
You'll need this to spritz down the surface of your piece in between sanding.
- lint free cloth
You can use shop towels available at your local hardware store.
- non toxic wax and some soft, lint free cloths
We used a non-toxic, food grade cutting board wax for our pieces, but you could certainly use a furniture wax too. On wood, you could opt for an oil such as mineral oil or Tung oil ( which may be a little too yellow for use on artwork ) as well as a coat of wax to make it buttery soft.
How To Sand Resin To Get A Matte Finish:
1. Using the spray bottle, generously spray down the surface of your artwork.
💡TIP: Wet sanding helps prevent micro dust particles from scratching the resin surface, giving you a much finer, smoother finish than dry sanding.
2. Wearing a dust mask, sand down the wet resin surface with the 320 grit sandpaper, either by hand or with an orbital sander. You'll notice that a paste begins to form as the sanding residue mixes with the water. When the paste becomes thick and dry, you'll know it's time to stop.
⚠️PLEASE NOTE - always wear a dust mask when sanding epoxy resin, wet or dry, to avoid inhaling epoxy resin particles.
3. Generously spray down the sanded surface and, using a piece of lint free paper towel, wipe off all of the paste. Spray the surface once again and repeat wet sanding, spraying and wiping 2-3 times until the surface is perfectly smooth and you can no longer see any scratch marks.
4. Once the surface is completely smooth, repeat the process 2-3 times with the 600 grit sandpaper before moving onto the 1500 grit.
💡TIP: Ensure the resin surface is evenly sanded and smooth before moving on to the next grit. If there are any scratch marks you can't get rid of, you may need to jump back to the previous grit and sand some more.
5. Once you've finished sanding and have removed all sanding marks, spray down your piece with water and wipe. Repeat this process until all traces of sanding residue have been removed. Dry your piece thoroughly. Then, with a dry, soft, lint-free cloth, apply a generous coat of wax and spread it evenly across the entire surface of the resin. Use a fresh cloth, apply firm pressure and rub in a circular motion to polish your piece. Stop polishing whenever the finish is as smooth as you'd like it to be.
💡TIP: If there is any haze left on your piece, use a fresh cloth to wipe it off. You can use an electric polisher at this point but be aware that the resin will get shinier and shinier as you polish it.
Voila! You now have a beautiful, silky smooth, matte finish on your artwork!
There you have it!
Two choices for your artwork ... matte or shiny!
Your ArtResin finish is up to you!
We hope this inspires you to try creating a matte finish with ArtResin for yourself - please share your tips, comments and questions below!
