The Secret to Epoxy Resin Success: part 1
Preparing for a Resin Pour
The secret to creating great resin art is PREPARATION! Working with epoxy resin is not as easy as it looks. It is not hard, or difficult to learn, unless you are unprepared! Professional resin artists know that this
Epoxy resin: Part A and Part B
Once combined, the clock starts ticking. Literally! You have a short amount of time (pot time) to mix, apply the liquid resin, and de-gas, before it becomes to thick to work with. There are other rules too, so setting yourself up for success is essential to making beautiful resin art and executing an effective epoxy resin pour.
Here are some checklists to guide you through setting up a successful work area.
CHOOSING A WORK SPACE:
- Large indoor work area (studio, basement or spare room)
- Optimal temperature and humidity (temperature controlled)
- Clean and free from dust and debris
- Sufficent lighting (natural and artificial)
- Electrical outlets and drop cords (for heat gun)
- Flat surface for your artwork (table, sawhorses)
- Additional area for mixing (side table)
- Trashcan(s)
Optional:
- running water
- space heater
- air cleaner
- exhaust fan
- dehumidifier
- tape measure
- stool
- journal and pen
- storage space
- shelving
SUPPLIES & MATERIALS:
- Plastic dropcloths or plastic sheeting to cover all surfaces
- Apron, smock or painting clothes
- Hat or hair band
- Paper towels (lots)
- Disposable gloves (vinyl or nitrile)
- Painter's tape (Frog or Blue) wide enough to protect the edge
- Level
- Plastic cups (several sizes and lots)
- Plastic measuring and mixing container (16 oz, 32 oz or larger)
- Craft sticks or Paint mixers for large pours
- Rubber spatulas, plastic spreaders or disposable brushes
- Exact-O knife, tweezers or toothpicks (to remove debris)
- Implements or utensils for texture or effects (comb, notched trowel
- Spray bottles
- Colors (paints, inks, pigments, powders, dyes, tints)
- Additives and applicators (oils and eye droppers)
- 91% isopropel alcohol, (denatured alcohol or acetone*)
- Epoxy resin (EcoPoxy or brand made for artist)
- Your project or artwork
**If you can't close off the work area during the curing process then use a large cardboard box to cover your artwork. (longer, wider and taller than your project)
Pick A Substrate (surface)
Wood, canvas, tile, paper, metal, acrylic, and so many more possibilities. Epoxy resin can be applied to dozens of surfaces or materials. Get creative with your selection! If you're a resin artist (or epoxy resin painter), like I am, consider using wood panels instead of stretched canvas. If you are coating a stretched canvas with epoxy resin, use rigid cardboard as support to
prevent the canvas from sagging and making the resin pool in the center. *I have also used smaller stretched canvases that fit perfectly under my large canvas project.
*example: (2) 16 x 20" canvases fit under a 24 x 48
PREPPING:
After you have chosen your substrate, there's a little more preparation before you pour your epoxy resin.
TAPE: Tape the back of your artwork with painter's tape to protect it from drips.
CLEAN: Make sure it is completely clean and dry. I suggest you spray the surface with alcohol and wipe clean to make sure it is completely dust-free each and every time you are about to pour.
SEAL: Seal your project, and/or any objects to be coated, with a light coat of resin or a spray-on or brush-on sealant. Epoxy resin is the best choice, using a paint brush (correct size, disposable) foam roller, or spreader, apply a thin quick coat to seal in any air, debris or dust that will definitely contaminate the second coat (flood coat) of resin. This step is so important if you are going to have a perfect finish!
PRIME: If you are going to make a resin art painting, it's a good idea to prime your surface with a thick coat of white paint. Although it is optional, a white surface will show truer, brighter colors. If you are going to leave any negative space, this will provide a smooth background.
**note:I always prime my wood panels with a coat of white house paint, the all-in-one kind, before I seal it with epoxy resin. This gives me a perfect surface to create my artwork and makes the finished painting flawless.
PurEpoxy Deep Casting Resin is the best casting epoxy for river table applications! 
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