Jun 15th 2023
Make a Splash with Ocean Resin Art
An admired technique in the epoxy resin art community is the ability to create natural, lifelike waves out of colored epoxy. The skills needed to create resin ocean art can also be applied to a variety of mediums, allowing you to design distinctive pieces that suit your style and needs. Everything from epoxy resin ocean tables to ocean resin cutting boards can be within your reach.
To follow along with this process in a video, see below. Otherwise, continue on to go through the written tutorial.
How to Make Resin Ocean Waves
The best projects are the result of having the best tools at your disposal. To follow along and create with this guide, you will need:
- Gloves
- Safety Goggles
- A cutting board
- ProMarine Supplies Table Top Epoxy
- Measuring and mixing cups
- Stir sticks
- Color dyes of your choice (in this tutorial, we used liquid dyes from our friends at Alumilite)
- A plastic sheet to cover your workspace
- A level tool
- A heat gun
The basis of how to make ocean resin art starts with products such our ProMarine Supplies Table Top Epoxy. This 1-to-1 by volume epoxy boasts a clear strong plastic coating, excellent air release qualities, and fast set times!
Before using any epoxy resin products, it's important to familiarize yourself with the instructions beforehand. You may have to work quickly to obtain the desired effect, so understanding how to mix epoxy resin properly is crucial. Also, make sure you're wearing gloves when working with the resin.
After you understand how to mix and work with epoxy resin, you can begin the rest of the process.
You'll need dyes for the epoxy resin in whatever colors you'd like your ocean to be. Be sure to include white for simulating the foam of an ocean's wave to show its natural state of motion. Here you will want to use something like a liquid dye in order to achieve the color saturation in the most efficient way!
Once you've mixed your epoxy resin properly, separate it into multiple cups. Use one for each color, including a cup for just the clear epoxy. Remember to thoroughly stir in your dyes. Further tips for combining color with resin can be found here.
You should prepare your surface for the ocean resin pour ahead of time. Make sure it's clean! You do not want any dirt, dust, grease, or oils present. Also make sure it is propped up and level before applying the epoxy.
Technically, you can pour the colors in whatever way speaks to you. However, to create a realistic ocean effect, start with the darkest blue as the base to represent the deeper part of the ocean. This dark blue will likely cover the most space of all the colors.
If the resin drips, clean up the sides of your surface. Then, continue pouring with your next color. Use a lighter blue right alongside the dark blue.
Use another stir stick to blend the edges where the colors meet.
You can also use the stick to clean up the edges of your project; if you're working on a cutting board or a table.
Now take some of the clear epoxy and pour it on top of the blended edge and the opposite side of the lighter color.
On top of the epoxy, add a thin layer of the white dye and epoxy resin combination.
You can use your gloved hand to blend the recently applied layers.
Put another line of clear and then white resin across the edges.
Instead of using your hand, however, it's time to break out the heat gun. Use the heat gun to gently push and blend the epoxy resin for the desired effect. The movement of the air creates an ebb and flow effect that mimics that of waves.
Continue to add as many lines of the clear and white epoxy as you see fit. Use the heat gun until you achieve the perfect sequence of ocean waves!
Once you’re happy with how the waves look, allow the epoxy resin to dry in an environment free of dust and other contaminants. Keep the room temperature at around 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and let the resin cure for 72 hours. Your piece will then be finished and ready for display!
The Cure for Vitamin Sea Deficiency
More and more, we've seen ocean art expand beyond the limits of traditional canvas and wall art. You can apply this style to make ocean resin coasters and even something as large scale as an ocean resin table and flooring. Transform any space into a trip to the seaside by incorporating the ocean resin technique into your decor. Your home will feel like summer all year round!
Take a look at the variety of ways our customers have used our products to set sail (metaphorically speaking, of course) with their epoxy resin ocean art!
@ej.artistry is clocking their vacation time with this tidal timepiece.
@colourfluxart brings the sound of the ocean to this guitar—and doesn't miss a beat.
@naked.waves is ready to hit the waves with their transformed kiteboard!
Feel free to share your resin ocean art creations with us on our social media, including our Instagram page, and check out what others are making with our products! If you have any questions about epoxy resin used in applications involving food, for instance on cutting boards, please visit our post on the subject of food safety.
Any other questions or comments? Visit our FAQs page or contact us!