From canvas to river table: How to correctly select, mix and process epoxy resins

Epoxy resin has transformed in recent years from a purely industrial material into an integral part of many studios and DIY workshops. Whether abstract resin art on canvas, gleaming jewelry, decorative trays, or solid river tables made of wood and resin – wherever crystal-clear surfaces, impressive depth effects, and durable coatings are required, epoxy resin comes into play.

especially for art projects, offer possibilities that would be virtually unattainable with traditional painting techniques or varnishes: You can make color pigments float, embed objects, create depth and light within the material itself, and thus produce artworks that appear almost three-dimensional. At the same time, the material presents new challenges, as epoxy resin rarely forgives errors in selection, mixing, or processing.

To prevent your projects from failing due to bubbles, sticky surfaces, or unwanted yellowing, it's worth taking a closer look at the properties and special characteristics of epoxy resin. Even in the planning phase, it's important to consider whether you only intend to pour thin layers onto a canvas, or whether you're planning jewelry with embedded elements, or even a solid table made with several liters of resin.

Different projects require different approaches – from thin casting resins for deep castings to more viscous versions for coating applications. The better you understand the properties, the more effectively you can realize your artistic ideas. This will ensure that your works remain pleasing in the long term, without the surface becoming dull, brittle, or discolored after a short time.

If you delve deeper into the subject, it helps to compare different systems in specialist shops and specifically look pot life , viscosity or UV stability buy epoxy resin , you have a wide range of products available and the question arises as to which options are suitable for your project.

At the same time, epoxy resin is not a "simple craft material ," but a reactive resin that must be mixed correctly, processed safely, and stored responsibly. Many problems arise not from the epoxy resin itself, but from inaccurate mixing ratios, unfavorable room temperatures, or a lack of protective equipment. Anyone using epoxy resins for art projects is always working at the intersection of artistic freedom and technical precision.

It is precisely this combination that makes it so appealing: You work with a liquid material that can be shaped, colored and structured according to your ideas – and which, after hardening, becomes a permanent, robust part of your art.

What makes epoxy resins special: Fundamentals for creative applications

Epoxy resins are two-component reactive resins, usually consisting of a resin and a hardener, which are mixed together in a specific ratio. Only through this chemical reaction is the stable, thermosetting material created, which cannot be deformed later by heat or solvents.

For you as a creative person, this means: as long as the system is liquid, you can create colors, inclusions, and shapes; after that, the chemistry determines the result. Epoxy resin adheres excellently to many surfaces—such as wood, metal, concrete, glass, or canvas—and forms a hard, often high-gloss surface after curing.

Depending on the system, this surface can be transparent, lightly tinted, or intensely colored. Especially in an artistic context, transparency and depth are crucial because they allow for the layered construction of optical spaces in which pigments, mica, metallic effects, or embedded objects appear to float.

The advantage for art projects lies not only in the glossy finish, but also in the ability to precisely control material and light. You can apply a thin layer of epoxy resin as a sealant over a painting, which intensifies colors and emphasizes details. Or you can use it as a voluminous casting material that forms an object in its own right, for example in river tables or sculptures.

Depending on the mixing ratio and composition, properties such as working time, curing time, final hardness, and heat resistance change. UV stability also plays a crucial role: not every epoxy resin is suitable for projects that are permanently exposed to sunlight. Therefore, special, clearly formulated systems are often available for epoxy resins used in art projects, where optical quality, resistance to yellowing, and bubble-free application are paramount. Understanding these differences allows for targeted selection instead of relying on chance or product descriptions buried in the fine print.

Epoxy resins for art projects combine technical precision with artistic freedom, transforming liquid material into durable, individual, unique pieces.

At first glance, epoxy resin might seem like a rigid, technical product, but in practice it's an incredibly malleable medium. The working time – the time between mixing the components and the material curing – can be controlled by choosing the right system. Short pot lives require fast work but are ideal for smaller pieces, while longer pot lives offer more flexibility for design, color gradients, and object positioning in larger projects.

In addition, there are additives such as pigments, alcohol-based inks, fillers, or effect particles, which allow you to create a wide range of optical effects: from delicate veils of color mist to bold, opaque surfaces and even metallic shimmer. It's crucial to understand that every creative decision—color, layer thickness, pouring method, substrate—takes place within the context of the chemical reaction and therefore requires careful preparation.

Planning art projects with epoxy resin: from idea to concept

Before you reach for the resin bottle, thorough planning of your project is worthwhile. The first step isn't mixing, but rather determining the desired effect. Do you want a high-gloss, almost glass-like coating on an existing image, an abstract resin artwork in multiple layers, or a piece of furniture where wood and epoxy resin fuse together?

The clearer you define your goal, the easier it will be to select the right system, substrates, and design steps. Spatial constraints also play a role: Do you have enough space to let your work rest dust-free for several hours or days? Can you work horizontally, or do you need solutions for coating vertical surfaces as well? Questions like these may sound technical at first, but they are crucial for ensuring that the subsequent work steps run smoothly.

Another crucial aspect of planning is the wear and tear your artwork will be subjected to. A decorative wall hanging indoors has different requirements than a river table that is used daily, wiped down, and perhaps even occasionally exposed to hot cups. For surfaces subjected to heavy use, mechanical properties such as hardness, scratch resistance, and heat resistance are relevant in addition to appearance.

Here, it can be useful to combine different systems – for example, a particularly clear casting resin for the solid area and an additional protective layer for the surface. Considerations regarding color also come into play: Do you want to work with transparent tones that allow the substrate to show through, or with opaque pigments that create a separate layer? How should embedded elements – such as leaves, stones, photos, or metal parts – appear in the overall design?

It's helpful to create a short plan before starting the project, summarizing the key points. This can be very simple, perhaps in the form of a short list:

• Which format and substrate should be used?
• How thick should the resin layer be and approximately how much material is needed?
• What colors, pigments, or inclusions are used?
• Where will the finished artwork be located or hung (light, temperature, humidity)?
• What protective equipment and tools are needed?

By consciously going through these points, you minimize the risk of discovering mid-pouring that you're missing material, your workbench is too small, or the ventilation is inadequate. Careful planning gives you peace of mind when things get serious – and that calmness is exactly what you need when working with a material that, once mixed, is inexorably hardening.

Overview of properties and material variants

Not all epoxy resins are created equal – you'll realize this the moment you compare a thick, slow-flowing system with an extremely thin casting resin. Viscosity determines how the resin behaves on the substrate, how well it flows into recesses, how easily bubbles dissipate, and how prone it is to running. Thin systems are ideal for deep castings where the resin needs to penetrate every corner of a cavity, such as in the center of a river table or when embedding larger objects.

They often have longer pot lives to control heat development and allow the material to cure without overheating. Medium viscosities are a good choice for classic resin art on canvas or wood panels because they spread well but don't run off the edges too quickly. Thicker coating resins are particularly suitable for thin protective layers where stability is more important than extreme flowability.

Besides viscosity, other parameters play a crucial role. Pot life describes the time you can work with the mixed resin before it becomes too thick or reacts too strongly. Curing time indicates when the workpiece can be carefully moved and when it reaches its final load-bearing capacity. Additionally, there are specifications regarding the maximum layer thickness per casting: casting resins for thick layers are formulated so that they do not overheat, even with several centimeters of resin.

Products designed for thin layers, however, tend to exhibit strong exothermic effects when poured too thickly, and in the worst case, can crack or discolor. UV stability is particularly relevant for artwork displayed in bright rooms or near windows, as many standard epoxies tend to yellow. Specially stabilized systems or additional coatings can help preserve the original appearance in the long term.

To make the differences more tangible, it helps to look at typical variants of epoxy resins for art projects:

Resin type	viscosity	Recommended layer thickness per casting	Ideal for	Special features
Thin casting resin	very low	up to about 5–10 cm	River tables, deep castings, embeddings	longer pot life, slow reaction
Medium viscosity resin	medium	approx. 1–5 mm	Resin art on canvas, wooden panels	Good self-leveling, versatile in its applications
Thick coating resin	rather high	thin layers, coatings	Sealants, protective layers, edges	greater stability, less slippage

This table can serve as a guide, but it does not replace reading the technical data sheets. Even within these categories, there are significant differences between manufacturers and products.

If you are planning several projects, it is worth experimenting with small test castings to see how a particular resin behaves in your studio:

• How strong is the smell, how sensitive is it to temperature fluctuations, how stable does the surface remain after a few weeks or months?
• It is precisely these kinds of experiences that make the difference between frustration and reliable results on which you can build your artistic development.

Step-by-step application: Mixing, pouring, deaerating, curing

The real work with epoxy resin begins as soon as you add the resin and hardener to the mixing container. From that moment on, the clock starts ticking. Depending on the system, you have anywhere from a few minutes to well over half an hour to mix colors, create gradients, position objects, or distribute the material evenly. The first crucial step is the precise weighing of the components.

Unlike some artistic techniques, "by rule of thumb" no place here: Even small deviations from the specified mixing ratio can lead to problems, such as sticky surfaces, layers that never fully harden, or brittle, fragile areas. A reliable scale is therefore essential – as is a quiet, organized workspace where all necessary tools are within easy reach.

After weighing, the resin must be thoroughly mixed. Simply stirring it briefly is not enough: the sides and bottom of the container must be regularly scraped with the stirring stick to ensure no unmixed areas remain. Depending on the type and quantity of resin, it may be advisable to transfer the mixture to a second container and stir it again to guarantee a truly homogeneous mass. Only then should pigments, effect particles, or other additives be added and carefully mixed in.

Many artists develop clear processes to work in a structured way within their available time. One possible sequence could look like this, for example:

1. Prepare the workspace and mask off surfaces.
2. Weigh the resin and hardener precisely.
3. Mix components slowly but thoroughly (if necessary, transfer to a second container).
4. Stir in the colors and pigments.
5. Apply or pour resin, planning the layers and direction of movement.
6. Remove bubbles by carefully heating the surface (hot air gun or gas burner).
7. Cover the workpiece to remove dust and allow it to harden.

Gravity plays a more significant role in the pouring process than one might initially think. On horizontal surfaces, the resin flows into a flat layer on its own – provided the surface is truly level. Even slight inclines can cause the material to overflow on one side and become too thin in another. Therefore, it's advisable to use a spirit level before pouring and, if necessary, place shims underneath.

When working with multiple layers, for example in resin art with a depth effect, you also need to pay attention to the so-called gel phase: In this stage, the resin is still slightly tacky but no longer liquid, allowing new layers to bond well without running too much into each other. Here, the correct timing is crucial for the final appearance of your transitions and effects.

Another critical point is degassing. During mixing and pouring, air bubbles inevitably get into the resin. Thin resins often allow these bubbles to rise on their own, while thicker resins require assistance. A brief application of a hot air gun or gas torch from a safe distance can bring bubbles to the surface and burst them without burning the resin. At the same time, you mustn't overheat the surface, as this will accelerate the reaction and significantly reduce the working time.

After casting, the workpiece should be protected from dust, for example with a cover that maintains sufficient distance from the surface. Patience is required during the curing process: even if the resin feels dry to the touch, depending on the system, it may take many more hours to reach its full strength and withstand mechanical stress.

Artistic projects perfectly executed: Here you will find inspiration for advanced users.

Easy way to make a lamp from epoxy resin – magical purple.

A simple white table is transformed into an ocean scene with sculpted whales and layered epoxy waves. YouTuber Resin Art Mary begins with a marine base (sky blue, turquoise, sea green), sculpts 3D whales from texture paste, and paints their backs and highlights. Next, she pours a clear layer to add depth and finishes with thick, creamy wave lines for a realistic coastal effect.

Once fully cured, she removes the piece from the mold, smooths the sharp edges, and attaches minimalist metal legs. The result is a bright, modern table that looks like a piece of the ocean.

Have you seen too many epoxy river tables that all look the same? Here's a "fire table" from Blacktail Studio .

The following breathtaking project employed several technologies: from a touch table to modeling and printing a diorama with a 3D printer, all the way to grass kinematics. An extremely exciting project with many fascinating technologies that demonstrate what is possible with this material.

Typical mistakes and safety aspects when using epoxy resin in the studio

Many problems encountered in epoxy resin projects recur in similar forms and can be easily avoided with a little experience. A classic example is the incorrect mixing ratio: either people "by eye" instead of using scales, or they try to accelerate the curing process by adding more hardener. Both usually lead to problems ranging from sticky surfaces and blistering to internal stresses in the material, which can later lead to cracking.

Another common mistake is pouring at unsuitable ambient temperatures. If it's too cold, the resin becomes viscous, bubbles rise less readily, and curing is delayed. If it's too warm, the system reacts too quickly, can overheat, and in extreme cases, boil or yellow significantly. Excessive layer thickness in a single pour can also lead to high internal heat buildup, damaging the material.

Besides these technical pitfalls, safety aspects play a crucial role. Epoxy resins contain reactive components that can be irritating in their uncured state. Direct skin contact, inhalation of fumes in poorly ventilated areas, and inadequate eye protection should be strictly avoided.

In addition, there's the issue of dealing with spilled resin and residual amounts: What drips onto the floor in its liquid state or gets uncontrolled into household waste is difficult to remove later or can lead to disposal problems. Careful preparation with disposable cups, drop cloths, nitrile gloves, safety goggles, and, if necessary, respiratory protection is therefore not an excessive precaution, but a normal part of working with reactive resins.

Especially if you work with epoxy resin regularly, it's worth developing established routines: Where are the components stored, how is the workspace cleaned after pouring, how are used stirring sticks, cups, and cloths disposed of? A small but consistently followed structure prevents you from having to reorganize every time and simultaneously reduces the risk of a creative pouring evening turning into an unpleasant cleanup.

Here too, the following applies: The more thoroughly you have the technical and health-related conditions under control, the more freely you can concentrate on the artistic side of your epoxy resin projects.

Creating lasting works of art: Care and presentation

Once the resin has cured and the artwork is finished, the phase begins where it becomes clear whether your decisions regarding materials and processing will stand the test of time. A high-gloss, smooth surface is robust, but not indestructible. Scratches, abrasion, or chemical damage from harsh cleaning agents can all affect its appearance.

For river tables or heavily used surfaces, applying a suitable protective varnish can be beneficial. Following certain usage guidelines can also be helpful. For example, coasters should be used, and extremely hot objects should not be placed directly on the surface. Furthermore, harsh or abrasive cleaning agents should be avoided. For wall art and decorative objects, protection from direct sunlight is crucial to minimize yellowing or discoloration.

The type of presentation depends heavily on your project. A resin artwork on canvas requires a sturdy hanging system that can support the weight of the resin and securely holds the piece on the wall. Sculptures or objects containing epoxy resin benefit from thoughtful lighting that emphasizes reflections and depth effects without creating distracting glare.

River tables can be positioned so that the view from above falls into the "river" and light penetrates through the resin sections. If you sell or exhibit your artwork, it's worthwhile to provide buyers with brief care instructions. This increases the likelihood that your pieces will still look as good as you created them, even after many years.

In conclusion, epoxy resins offer a fascinating bridge between materials science and creativity for art projects. You work with a material that offers maximum design freedom in its liquid state and guarantees stability and durability when cured.

Those willing to delve into the properties, variations, and safety aspects will be rewarded with a unique visual language: light-filled layers, seemingly floating objects, and surfaces that draw the eye into their depths. If you carefully plan your projects, choose the right system, mix and process meticulously, and simultaneously allow yourself room for experimentation, every casting can result in a unique piece that bears your artistic signature – from small canvases to impressive river tables.