Enhance Your Acrylic Pour Painting with Resin Finish

Finishing an acrylic pour painting with resin is a popular technique to enhance its beauty and durability. By applying resin as a finish, you can create a glossy and professional-looking surface that adds depth and richness to the colours of the pour.

Using resin as a finish for your acrylic pour painting offers several key benefits. Firstly, it provides a high-gloss finish that gives your artwork a luxurious and polished appearance. The resin's reflective properties make the colours of the pour pop and come to life, adding vibrancy and depth. Secondly, resin acts as a protective layer, safeguarding your artwork from dust, moisture, and UV damage. This ensures that your painting remains in perfect condition for years to come.

If you're new to working with resin or want to expand your knowledge, consider joining a resin art workshop where you can learn different techniques and gain hands-on experience. In this blog, we will guide you through applying resin to an acrylic pour painting, along with essential tips to ensure successful results. So, let's get in and discover how to elevate your acrylic pour paintings with resin!

Understanding Resin

Resin is a popular choice for acrylic pour painting because it can:

Enhance Colours and Depth

The resin is a protective and decorative layer that adds depth, shine, and vibrancy to acrylic pour paintings. It creates a stunning visual effect that captivates the viewer's attention.

Provide a Glossy Finish

The resin forms a smooth, glass-like surface over the painting, amplifying the colours and creating a professional, polished look. It has the remarkable ability to make the artwork appear more vibrant and alive.

Offer Long-Term Protection

Resin offers superior durability compared to other finishes like varnish, making it an ideal choice for long-term artwork protection. It provides a sturdy shield against environmental factors and physical damage, ensuring the longevity of the painting.

Resin's capacity to enhance the aesthetic appeal of acrylic pour paintings while safeguarding them from wear and tear makes it a compelling choice for artists seeking to elevate their artworks.

Preparing the Surface

Getting the surface ready before you start working with resin on your acrylic pour painting is essential. This will make sure you have a clean canvas without any silicone, which is necessary for a smooth resin finish. Here are the steps you should follow:

Clean the Surface

Begin by cleaning your painting surface to remove any dirt or particles. You can use a soft brush or a cloth that doesn't leave residue to sweep away anything on the canvas gently.

Remove Silicone Oil

If you've used silicone oil in your acrylic pour technique, removing it before applying resin is crucial. Silicone can cause problems with adhesion and stop the resin from sticking well to the surface. There are a couple of ways you can remove silicone oil:

• Heat Gun: Use a low heat gun or a blow dryer to warm up the silicone oil on your painting. Move the heat source back and forth over the canvas to heat the silicone. As it gets hotter, the silicone will come up to the surface and form tiny beads that you can wipe with a clean cloth.
• Alcohol Wipes: Another effective method is to use alcohol wipes or cotton pads soaked in isopropyl alcohol. Rub the surface of your painting gently with the alcohol-soaked wipe, focusing on areas where there might be silicone. This will help dissolve and remove any leftover silicone oil.

Let It Dry Completely

Once your acrylic pour painting is clean and free from silicone, giving the paint enough time to dry and harden before you put on resin is crucial. Acrylic paint usually dries within 24-48 hours, but if you've used thick layers of paint, it might need more time to dry completely. Take your time with this step because any moisture in the paint can make the resin not stick well and look cloudy.

Resin Application Guide

By following these step-by-step guidelines for mixing and applying resin, you can ensure a professional and durable finish that enhances the visual appeal and longevity of your acrylic pour paintings:

Mixing the Resin

• Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for mixing the resin accurately. Paying attention to the specified ratios is crucial to achieving the best results.
• Use a clean, flat surface and mix the resin thoroughly for the recommended duration to ensure proper blending.

Applying Thin Coats

• Begin by gradually applying a thin and even coat of resin onto the painting's surface.
• Use a brush to spread the resin uniformly and smoothly, ensuring complete coverage while avoiding excessive buildup.
• Continue with additional thin coats as needed, allowing each layer to cure appropriately between applications.

Techniques for Achieving a Smooth Surface

• To remove air bubbles from the resin, gently apply heat using a torch or heat gun slowly over the surface.
• Alternatively, carefully blowing through a straw can also disperse tiny bubbles.
• Use a brush or spatula to ensure an even distribution of resin across the entire painting, paying attention to edges and corners.

Curing Time Between Coats

• Allow each coat of resin to cure for the recommended time as per the manufacturer's guidelines before applying subsequent layers.
• Typically, this curing period ranges from several hours to overnight, depending on the specific type of resin used.
• Patience is vital to achieving a flawless finish, so resist the temptation to rush through curing times.

Tips and Troubleshooting

By following these tips, you will prepare yourself to troubleshoot potential issues and can achieve stunning results when using resin as a finish for your acrylic pour paintings:

Mixing

Ensure the resin and hardener are thoroughly and precisely mixed to avoid tackiness or soft spots in the finish. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the correct ratio, and consider using a digital scale for accuracy.

Applying Thin Coats

To prevent uneven drying and excessive dripping, apply thin coats of resin. Multiple thin layers are easier to manage and less likely to result in drips or puddles on the painting.

Avoiding Dust Particles

Work in a clean, dust-free environment to minimise the risk of dust particles landing on the wet resin. Covering the piece with a large box or using a dust cover can help protect it during the curing process.

Dealing with Uneven Drying

If you encounter issues with uneven drying, try rotating the painting a few times during the curing process. This can help distribute the resin evenly and prevent swelling in certain areas.

Preventing Drips and Runs

To prevent drips or runs along the edges of the painting, occasionally check and gently remove any excess resin that may be accumulating. This will make sure that you maintain a clean and professional-looking finish.

Conclusion

Resin is not just a finishing technique for acrylic pour paintings but also a versatile medium that can enhance various forms of artistic expression. By applying resin to your artwork, you can create a glossy and professional-looking surface that elevates the overall aesthetic appeal of the art. The smooth and shiny finish provided by resin enhances the colours and depth of the pour, making the artwork stand out.