How to use epoxy resin step-by-step: a complete guide for beginners
The first time you open a can of epoxy resin, your initial feeling might not be inspiration. It might be confusion, or even a bit of dizziness. And that's completely normal.
"My first experience with resin was so frustrating and disastrous that it felt like a personal challenge to learn to understand it." — Eva Jurado, founder of Green Maiden Art
Today, years later, that same resin that once bewildered her has become the material she uses to recreate the ocean in large formats, teach over 500 students worldwide, and build an entire community around art. The secret wasn't in being perfect from day one. It was in understanding how this very special material works, with its own character, its own timings, and its own way of surprising you.
This guide is written so that you don't have to learn through trial and error. Here's everything you need to know to use epoxy resin step-by-step, from scratch.
What is epoxy resin and why is it so special for art?
Epoxy resin is a two-component material: it consists of two parts, the resin and the hardener, which, when mixed, trigger a chemical reaction that transforms them into a solid, shiny, and completely transparent surface.
What makes epoxy resin special for art is its behavior while liquid: pigments move within it organically, almost alive, creating patterns impossible to reproduce with any other material. Waves, marbles, galaxies, ocean depths... all of this is possible thanks to how the resin flows and reacts with color and movement.
What do you need to get started?
Before mixing anything, you need to have the basics prepared:
- Two-component epoxy resin (resin + hardener) specifically for art
- Graduated measuring cups to ensure exact proportions
- Spatulas or stir sticks made of wood or silicone for mixing
- Pigments or inks compatible with resin (not all colorants work)
- Support: canvas, wooden board, tray... whatever you want to create
- Nitrile gloves and a mask with an organic vapor filter
- Plastic sheet to protect the work surface
- Torch or heat gun to remove bubbles
Proportions: the most important step
Epoxy resin does not work by "eyeballing" it. Each brand has its specific proportions (usually 2:1 or 1:1 by volume), and respecting them to the millimeter is what determines whether your piece cures correctly or remains sticky.
Eva's tip: Always use graduated cups and weigh with a scale if the brand recommends it. A 10% difference can ruin the entire piece.
How to mix epoxy resin correctly
- Mix slowly, with circular motions and scraping the sides of the cup
- At least 3-5 minutes of continuous mixing (even if it already looks homogeneous)
- Avoid mixing with too much energy: it generates more bubbles
- The mixture should be completely transparent, with no streaks or cloudy areas
Adding color to the resin
Once the resin is mixed, you can divide it into several cups and add pigment to each. The amount of pigment affects the opacity and behavior of the resin: more pigment, more coverage, but be careful not to overdo it as it can interfere with curing.
For Ocean Art, Eva works with highly concentrated fluid pigments that allow her to create those characteristic color transitions, from the deep blue of the ocean to the white of the foam.
Application on the support
- Make sure the support is completely level before starting
- Pour the resin from the center and let it flow to the edges
- Use a spatula to spread if necessary, but without touching too much
- Apply the torch in quick motions and at a distance: about 15-20 cm from the surface
The curing process
Once applied, the resin needs between 24 and 72 hours to cure completely, depending on the brand and environmental conditions. During that time:
- Do not touch the surface under any circumstances
- Cover it to protect it from dust (with a box or an improvised dome)
- Maintain a stable temperature: between 20-25°C is ideal
- Cold slows down curing and can cause a milky surface
Common mistakes the first few times
- ❌ Not respecting exact proportions → sticky resin that doesn't cure
- ❌ Mixing too quickly → excessive bubbles
- ❌ Working in cold conditions → poor curing or opaque surface
- ❌ Touching the surface before it cures → irreparable marks
- ❌ Using incompatible pigments → stains, separation, or inhibition of curing
What comes next?
Once you master the basics, the natural next step is to explore techniques. Resin Ocean Art is one of the most in-demand and visually striking: it combines movement, color, and the texture of water in unique pieces.
At Green Maiden Art, you will find courses specifically designed to learn from scratch with real support, quality materials, and a community of artists who have already taken that first step.
