How To Resin An Alcohol Ink Painting

Welcome to my tutorial on how to resin a painting. Are you wondering how to resin a painting? I’ll show you an easy way to pour resin onto artwork so you can get a glossy, glass like finish. This tutorial works fantastic for small pieces of artwork. And the best part? There is no mixing! That’s right, I used a high viscosity UV resin to cover a miniature alcohol ink painting. This is such an easy way to resin artwork.

If you want to enhance the colors, protect your artwork, or create a high gloss covering on small art, UV resin is what you can use. So, gather your materials and let’s get started on transforming your painting into a shiny piece of art! You can use this idea to make things to sell in your Etsy shop or for your craft fairs.

How to resin a painting with UV Resin

Supplies Needed

• High Viscosity UV Resin
• Alcohol Inks
• Craft Heat Gun
• Nitrile Gloves
• Proper Resin Respirator
• Wooden Art Blocks

Resin A Painting Instructions

Do a small test piece first

Using the same products you will be using for your larger piece to do a test. Sometimes resin can cause certain products to bleed and you will want to know if you can actually pour the resin on top without ruining it. Do this before pouring resin onto an original to make sure the paints or markers are not going to run.

Step 1: Create Your Artwork

For this DIY, I painted a wood block with white craft paint, then went ahead with some alcohol inks and made the painting. I like experimenting with techniques like blending, swirling, or dripping to create unique effects. Let your artwork to dry completely before moving on to the next step. This is important, as any moisture left can affect how the resin cures later on. Everything must be totally dried out.

Step 2: Pour the Resin

Now it’s time to pour the resin! For this tutorial I’m using a UV resin so that there is no mixing. This type of resin is great for small pieces of artwork because it cures under a UV lamp. I’m using a thick doming resin from JDiction. It’s a brand that is easy to use and cures very hard and glossy. The high viscosity is going to make it so that it stays on the front of the artwork and doesn’t pour over.

Before pouring on the resin, make sure that your painting is completely level. Slowly pour the resin onto the top of your artwork. Start from the center and work your way outward. Be careful not to add too much or it can start to drip over. Another way you can do this is to start from the outer sides and work your way to the center. Kind of like flooding a cookie with icing. Use a spatula or a popsicle stick to spread the resin evenly across the surface making sure that it doesn’t go over the sides.

Once you have the entire painting covered in resin you can assess to see if you can add more without risking it going over the edge. That’s why it’s good to use a high quality doming resin because it does not spread quickly.

Step 3: Pop any bubbles in the resin

As the resin settles, you may notice tiny air bubbles rising to the surface. These can be removed easily with a torch or craft heat gun. Carefully pass the heat source over the surface of the resin to pop the bubbles. Be sure not to hold the heat in one spot for too long to avoid damaging the resin or the artwork underneath. Also, do not hold it too close to the artwork or the resin may warm up and this could make the resin less thick and cause it to run over the sides. See how the resin looks raised up without going over? That’s the beauty of doming resin!

Step 4: Cure under a UV lamp

After pouring the resin, cure it under a UV resin cure lamp for at least 4-5 minutes. Once the resin has cured completely, your painting is ready to be displayed! Enjoy the vibrant colors and glossy finish that resin adds to your artwork.

Tips for Pouring Resin onto an Alcohol Ink Painting

Test Where Two Ink Colors Meet

On a scrap of the same material, paint a dark ink beside a lighter one. Once the inks are completely dry, add a drop of UV resin where the colors meet. Watch that line to see if the darker ink starts to spread into the lighter color.

Seal the Painting if the Ink Bleeds

If the colors move during your test, try a light mist of Krylon Varnish on a second sample. Let it dry according to the label, then test it with another drop of resin. If the line stays crisp, use the same steps on your painting.

Level the Painting Before You Pour

Place a small level across your wood block, then turn the level a quarter turn and check again. If one side sits a little lower, tuck a piece of cardstock underneath it. This helps the resin settle evenly across the artwork.

Start With a Small Puddle in the Center

Pour a little UV doming resin into the center of your painting. Use a craft stick to gently guide it toward the edges, then give it a moment to spread before adding more. For a tiny bare corner, use a toothpick to draw a little resin from the middle into that spot.

Check the Surface With a Light Before Curing

Keep the painting flat and shine a light across it from the side. Look along the reflection for tiny bubbles or spots you missed. Lift any surface bubbles with a clean toothpick, then cure the resin under your UV lamp according to the directions on the bottle.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. You can hang it on a wall, place it on a shelf, or gift it to someone special. Don’t forget to share your creation with friends and family, they’ll love seeing your beautiful, resin covered artwork! Next check out this article about the best epoxy resins for paintings for covering large artwork. And here is a helpful article about how to start a resin art business.