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One of the things I love about working with Resincrete is being able to experiment with different colours and finishes.
If you're new to Resincrete and haven't tried casting anything yet, my Resincrete for beginners guide covers the materials, tools and basics you need to get started.
Whether you're making trinket dishes, decorative ornaments or small home accessories, adding colour can completely transform a simple casting.
But if you've ever tried creating a particular colour or a beautiful marbled effect, you'll probably know that things don't always turn out quite as expected!
At Curious Cast Studio, I've experimented with liquid pigments, mica powders, acrylic paint and different colouring techniques. Some have worked really well, while others are still very much a work in progress.
In this guide, I'll share my experiences, the colouring products I've tried and a few things I've learned along the way.
Can You Add Colour to Resincrete?
Yes! Resincrete can be coloured using compatible pigments and colourants.
Rather than painting a finished piece, you can add colour directly to the casting mixture before pouring it into your silicone mould.
This allows the colour to become part of the casting itself.
If you'd prefer to add a decorative design after casting, my guide to decoupaging Resincrete trinket dishes shows you how I decorate my handmade pieces.
You can create anything from soft pastel shades to brighter colours, depending on the pigment you use and how much you add.
You can also experiment with combining colours to create marbled or swirled effects.
However, it's worth remembering that different pigments can behave differently, and not everything designed for traditional resin will necessarily work well with Resincrete.
The mould you choose can make a difference to your finished piece too. In my guide to silicone moulds for Resincrete, I share my experiences with cheaper moulds, including what works well and what to watch out for.
What Can You Use to Colour Resincrete?
There are several colouring options worth exploring.
1. Liquid Pigments
Liquid pigments are probably the colouring products I've used most often with Resincrete.
I've tried pigments from both JDiction and Temu.
The Temu pigments I've used include some lovely coffee and latte shades, which are ideal when I'm looking for softer, more neutral colours.
I've also used JDiction pigments for brighter colours.
I haven't found one brand to be universally better than the other. It really depends on the colours I'm trying to achieve.
One thing I like about liquid pigments is that I can experiment with adding small amounts until I get closer to the shade I want.
View the Liquid Colouring Pigment I Use on Amazon
If you're just starting out, I'd recommend choosing a small selection of colours rather than buying lots straight away.
It's surprising how many different shades you can create by experimenting.
2. Mica Powders and Dry Pigments
I've also tried using mica powders and dry pigments to colour Resincrete.
My experiments with these have produced mixed results.
One method I've tried is adding the dry pigment directly to the Resincrete powder before mixing in the water.
However, I haven't always achieved a completely even colour.
Some of my pieces have ended up with a slightly speckled appearance, with little areas of white showing through the coloured mixture.
That isn't necessarily a bad thing if you're looking for a textured or speckled finish, but it can be frustrating when you're trying to achieve a consistent colour.
I haven't yet experimented with mixing the dry pigment into the water first, so that's something I'd like to try.
For now, I tend to find liquid pigments easier to work with when I want a more evenly coloured piece.
3. Acrylic Paint
I've also experimented with adding acrylic paint directly to my Resincrete mixture.
This hasn't been particularly successful for me so far.
One thing I've noticed is that the mixture seems to start setting much faster when I add acrylic paint.
Considering Resincrete already has a relatively short working time, that's not especially helpful!
I've only experimented with this on a limited basis, so I wouldn't rule acrylic paint out completely.
Different paints may behave differently, and I'm still learning which products work best.
However, based on my own experience, I'd currently choose a compatible liquid pigment over acrylic paint when colouring the mixture.
How Much Pigment Should You Add to Resincrete?
This is where a little experimentation comes in.
The amount you need depends on the casting material, the pigment's strength and the colour you're trying to achieve.
I generally prefer starting with a small amount of liquid pigment and adjusting it rather than adding too much straight away.
For some of my smaller projects, I've experimented with around three drops of each colour when creating marbled effects.
That's simply what I've used for particular pieces, rather than a recommended measurement for every project.
Pigments can vary considerably in concentration, so always check the manufacturer's instructions for your specific products.
Adding excessive amounts of colourant may affect how the Resincrete sets or the strength of the finished casting.
How to Create a Marbled Effect with Resincrete
Marbling is one of the techniques I've been experimenting with, particularly when making heart-shaped trinket dishes.
I love the idea of combining two or three colours to create soft swirls running through the finished piece.
However, I've discovered that getting those lovely, defined marbled lines isn't always as straightforward as it looks!
My Marbling Technique
Here's the method I've been experimenting with.
Step 1: Prepare your Resincrete mixture
Measure and mix your Resincrete according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Make sure your silicone mould is ready before you start, because Resincrete doesn't give you much time to work.
Step 2: Add your colours
For some of my small heart dishes, I've used approximately three drops of each liquid pigment.
I add the colours to the mixture and give them a slight swirl.
The idea is to create movement between the colours without completely blending everything together.
Step 3: Pour into your mould
Once I've swirled the colours, I pour the mixture into my prepared silicone mould.
Step 4: Allow the Resincrete to set
I generally leave my Resincrete pieces for around 30 minutes before carefully demoulding them.
Step 5: See how the colours have developed
This is the interesting part!
Sometimes the colours blend beautifully, but other times the finished piece looks quite different from the effect I was hoping to achieve.
That's all part of experimenting with marbling.
Why Does Resincrete Marbling Sometimes Look Blended Rather Than Swirled?
This is probably one of the biggest challenges I've encountered.
When I look at some marbled pieces created using other casting materials, such as Jesmonite, the colours can have lovely, distinct lines running through them.
I've been trying to achieve something similar with Resincrete.
However, I've found that the Resincrete mixtures I work with are often quite fluid when first mixed.
When I add liquid pigments and swirl them, the colours can spread and blend together rather than holding those beautiful defined lines.
The result can still look lovely, but it's not always the marble effect I intended!
Would Letting Resincrete Thicken Help?
One thing I'm considering experimenting with is allowing the Resincrete to thicken slightly before adding the colours or creating the swirls.
My thinking is that a slightly thicker mixture might help the colours stay more separate.
However, this isn't something I've perfected or properly tested yet.
Resincrete starts setting quickly, so leaving it too long could make it difficult to pour or affect the finished casting.
It's something I'd approach carefully with small test batches.
I'd love to try a side-by-side experiment using different techniques to see which produces the most defined marbling.
For now, I'm still experimenting rather than claiming to have found the perfect method.
Can You Colour Resincrete After It's Set?
Yes, you can also add colour and decorative details after removing your Resincrete from its mould.
This opens up a different range of techniques.
Painting Resincrete
Painting is something I'm still experimenting with.
Resincrete has a very smooth surface, and I've sometimes struggled to achieve good, even coverage with the paints I've tried.
I'm not yet sure whether that's because of the type of paint, the surface itself or the preparation technique.
I've considered experimenting with different primers and surface preparation methods to see whether they improve the results.
For now, I wouldn't claim to have found the perfect paint for Resincrete.
Using Acrylic and Metallic Markers
One technique I've had better results with is using markers to add decorative details.
I've experimented with acrylic markers, permanent markers and metallic pens.
In particular, I've had good results with the push-to-flow metallic markers in colours such as silver, gold and copper.
These can be useful for highlighting raised details or adding small decorative touches to finished pieces.
As with any colouring product, it's worth testing compatibility with your chosen sealer before finishing the piece.
Does Sealing Resincrete Change the Colour?
Applying a finish can change how colours appear.
A gloss sealer, for example, can make some colours look richer or more vibrant, while a matt finish creates a different appearance.
The result will depend on the casting material, pigment and sealer being used.
For plain Resincrete pieces, I often use JDiction gloss sealer.
View JDiction Gloss Sealer on Amazon
If I'm decorating a piece with decoupage or printed transfers, I may use a clear UV resin finish instead.
Always follow the finishing product's instructions, particularly regarding drying, curing and compatibility.
I'll be exploring sanding and sealing Resincrete in more detail in a separate guide.
My Tips for Colouring Resincrete as a Beginner
If you're just starting to experiment with colour, here's what I'd suggest.
- Start with small batches. It's easier to experiment without wasting too much Resincrete.
- Add colour gradually. You can always experiment with a stronger shade in your next batch.
- Prepare everything beforehand. Resincrete can begin thickening in just a few minutes.
- Try simple colours first. Get comfortable with making evenly coloured pieces before attempting more complicated designs.
- Don't expect every marble pattern to look the same. The movement of the mixture can produce unexpected results.
- Keep track of what you use. Recording your pigment colours and approximate amounts can help when you're trying to recreate a particular effect.
And remember that different brands of pigments and casting powders may behave differently.
Final Thoughts
Colouring Resincrete is one of the things I enjoy most about working with it.
I love being able to take a simple mould and create something completely different just by changing the colours or decorative finish.
Once you've finished experimenting with colour, you might want to smooth and protect your creations. My guide to sanding and sealing Resincrete explains how I finish my handmade pieces.
I've had good results with liquid pigments, interesting results with dry powders and a few frustrations trying to achieve defined marbling.
But that's part of the enjoyment of making things.
Not every experiment goes exactly to plan, and sometimes an unexpected colour combination turns out better than the one you originally intended.
I'm still experimenting with different colouring techniques, and I'll continue sharing what I discover along the way.
If you're new to Resincrete, my advice is to start with a few colours, experiment with small projects and enjoy seeing what you can create.
Sometimes the best results happen when you stop trying to make every piece look exactly the same.
Happy crafting!
Curious Cast Studio
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