There are many ways to add color to Brilliant Resin, they each have pros and cons. Here are the ones I love best, WITH HOW-TO VIDEOS:
Resin Color Film
This is the cleanest and easiest way if you're going for transparent color. Just cut to fit the shape of your mold or resin piece.
WATCH THIS HOW-TO VIDEO:
Here are some examples of how you can layer Resin Color Film:
Dichro-ISH Films
Used with or without a black resin backing, these films add beautiful color and dimension. Add a sheet, bits and pieces, or a cut-out shape.
WATCH THIS HOW-TO VIDEO:
Liquid/Gel Resin Colorant
Great options for opaque color, these blend easily without adding many bubbles. The black pieces below were made with our Dichro-ISH Black Colorant, the white stripes were made with our opaque White Resin Colorant.
Layers with colorant and glitter mixed in. Shallow cast in 2" cavities.
You can have fun mixing colors too, either letting one set up a bit before adding another, or blending them together to create unique designs.
I made the projects below using a bit of leftover black and white colored resin. I had some in my mixing cup from another project. It was nice and thick as it had been sitting for about 1/2 hour, so I used it to make spots in the bottom of my Medium Rectangle Mold. I let those spots harden, then poured resin with our White Colorant mixed in over it. For the one with the white spots and black background I reversed the application.
This is a super-easy project, but the key is to let the color you'll use for the spots get nice and thick so it stays where you put it in your mold.
WATCH THIS HOW-TO VIDEO:
Layering paint, nail polish, glitter, or photos:
WATCH THIS HOW-TO VIDEO:
Glitter
From fine cut to big and chunky, WE LOVE GLITTER! You can mix any color in with your resin batch. CLICK "Resin Glitter Fun" to the right for more info and a how-to video
FOR MORE INFO WATCH THIS HOW-TO VIDEO:
Combine Resin Color Film and Glitter!
Acrylic Paint
Between layers of set resin, not mixed in as that can affect cure time and final results.
This piece was incorporated into a cabochons necklace.
These are acrylic paint skins, punched into heart shapes and domed with Brilliant Resin. They're lightweight and each one is unique so they make great jewelry.
Nail Polish
As with acrylics, paint between or over layers of set resin, don't mix it in as that can affect cure time and final results.
You can also combine acrylic paint and nail polish
FOR MORE INFO WATCH THIS HOW-TO VIDEO:
Alcohol Inks
Such fun! From petri projects to painting on photos to splatter patterns, alcohol inks are so much fun to use in Brilliant Resin! Here are some projects from our Double-Sided Molds tutorial:
You can see the petri bangle technique in detail in this tutorial from Myriam's Nature
This can be hit-or-miss as some ink colors react with the resin in weird ways. Here are some experiments we've done by applying inks to a photo, and between layers of resin:
For this test I spashed alcohol inks onto our Clear Photo Film, then punched out some circles and domed them with Brilliant Resin.
Then I figured out how to create these tie-dye type looks:
Here's a hit from our friend Chrissy Lampitt, she added inks to the tile, then stamped, then sealed it all with resin:
You can mix a little alcohol ink into your resin for transparent color, but results vary, and if you add too much it will affect resin set-up.
In the Petri Technique you drip white and colored alcohol inks into resin, here are some examples of how this can look in cast eyes:
This technique is random, some are amazing others are duds. Here are some of my favorites:
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON COLORANTS:
In this how-to video, you can fast-forward to 5:30 and 10:00 to focus on colorants:
Brilliant Project Ideas
- Sideways and Curved Holes
- Framed Cabochons with Charms, Inks, Metallic Pigments
- Intro: How to make Oval Cabochons, frames, dishes, ...
- Ocean Theme Bookmarks and Earrings
- Beautiful Bangles from Leftovers
- Make Holes Without Drilling!
- Flat Pour Resin Jewelry with Super Metallic Pigments
- Super Metallic Pigments - Casting in Molds
- Fused Dichro-ISH Heart Dish & Pendant
- Dichro-ISH Fusion Cabochons
- Dichro-ISH Fusion
- Glow In The Dark Resin Eyes
- Spidey Dichro-ISH Pendants
- Colored Wire in Resin
- Glowy Spider Bezel Necklace
- Casting Segments and Making Jewelry
- Easy Resin Photo Keychains
- Make Resin Teardrop Jewelry
- Resin Challenge: all the BIRTHSTONES!
- Resin Cuff Bracelets Any Size!
- Resin Rainbow Cuff Bracelet
- Bangle Bracelets with Windows!
- Silver & Gold Trinket Dish
- Artistic Color-Shifting Bangles
- Resin Photo Keepsakes
- Casting with 3-in-1 Heart Molds
- Glowing Oceans Resin Jewelry
- Glowing Ocean Resin Coaster and Casting
- Bee-Beautiful Resin Pendant
- Turn Postage Stamps into Jewelry
- Dots & Spots in Resin
- Fabric-Inspired, Dichro Patchwork Resin Jewelry and Hair Clips
- Black and White Flat Pour Resin Jewelry
- Punch & Resin your Cards and Papers
- Better Ornaments, Coasters with Resin + Rings
- Precious Resin Ring Ornament with Alcohol Inks
- How to fill Open Back Bezels with Resin Backer Film
- Pour & Glow In The Dark Resin Projects
- Glowing Resin Photo Jewelry - Nightmare Before Christmas
- Glow In The Dark Resin in Mixed Bezels
- Spooky Small Bezel Projects
- Resin in Small Bezels for charms and pendants
- Washi Tape + Resin Jewelry - CASTING
- Washi Tape + Resin Jewelry - DOMING
- Resin Name Tags for our Planty Friends
- Resin Jewelry Making for Beginners - Starter Kit Tutorial
- Make Action Standees with Photos and Resin
- Convertible Resin Photo Charms
- Mimic the look of Rose Quartz in Resin
- Dramatic Effects with Alcohol Inks in Resin - Feathering & Swirls