What You’ll Need

• “Wave-Pro” – Pigment Additive for Sea Wave Effect in Epoxy Resin: For creating sea wave and cell effects
• “Sea” – Resin Kit for Creating Ocean Art, 1.7kg Epoxy, Pigments & Canvas: All-in-one kit, including resin, pigments, canvas, and additives
• “Marine Palette” – Set of Dyes for Ocean Art, Epoxy Resin, and Beach Effects: For vibrant ocean-inspired colours
• Mixing cups, gloves, and stir sticks
• Protective work surface and apron
• Canvas, board, or wooden panel as your base

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace and Materials

Ensure your workspace is clean, level, and dust-free before pouring. Cover your work area to protect from spills, and keep the environment at a stable room temperature. Gather all your materials—including mixing tools, pigments, and canvas or board—so everything is close at hand. Wear gloves, and use an apron for safety.

Position your canvas or board on risers to allow any excess resin to drip freely, and double-check it’s perfectly level. This prevents resin from pooling unevenly and helps your sea foam patterns form consistently across the surface.

Step 2: Mix and Colour Your Epoxy Resin

Mix your epoxy resin and chosen pigments thoroughly until streak-free. Carefully follow the resin manufacturer’s instructions for correct ratios. If you’re using the “Sea” – Resin Kit for Creating Ocean Art, 1.7kg Epoxy, Pigments & Canvas, all required components, including pigments and the correct type of resin, are included and measurements are straightforward.

Start by mixing a batch of clear resin for your water base. Then prepare separate portions, tinting them with ocean blue, green, and white dyes from the Marine Palette Set of Dyes until you achieve the desired shades and opacity. Only a small amount of pigment is needed for strong colour.

Step 3: Pour and Layer the Resin

Apply resin in layers to build up depth and create realistic ocean gradients. Begin by pouring your coloured resin in parallel bands across the canvas, with deeper blues and green tones further from the ‘shoreline’, and lighter shades closer to where the sea foam will appear.

Using a mixing stick or gloved hand, gently blend the boundaries between colours for a smooth transition. Work efficiently, as epoxy resin has a limited open time. Avoid overworking, as this can lead to excessive blending or unwanted bubbles.

Step 4: Create Dynamic Sea Foam and Wave Effects

Manipulate the wet resin to form dynamic sea foam and wave patterns. For the signature foamy look, lightly drizzle a line of white-tinted resin along the intended crest of your wave. Next, sprinkle a measured amount of Wave-Pro Pigment Additive over the white resin, following your desired foam pattern. The reactive powder physically disperses the resin, producing natural cells and concentric lacy effects—no torch or heat gun required.

Watch as the sea foam blooms and interacts with the underlying colours. If desired, repeat the process for additional wave crests. This technique allows for organic, professional-level results even for beginners.

Step 5: Allow to Cure and Finish Your Artwork

Allow the piece to cure completely in a dust-free environment. Carefully cover your art with a protective box or tent to prevent dust from settling while the resin sets. Typical cure times vary according to the resin brand and temperature, but most pieces require at least 24 hours before handling.

Once fully cured, remove any drips from the reverse side and inspect the surface. Your sea foam and wave effects should appear three dimensional and glossy. If you’d like to build additional layers or waves, repeat the process above after the resin cures.

Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid

Plan your colour gradients and pour sequence in advance to avoid rushed decisions once the resin is mixed. Over-mixing after pigments are added can introduce bubbles, so stir slowly and thoroughly. Remember, resin reacts differently depending on room temperature—warmer conditions will accelerate curing, while colder environments can slow the reaction.

If your sea foam cells are too small or fail to form, verify you’ve used enough Wave-Pro Pigment Additive or adjust the spacing of your white resin lines. Avoid using UV resin for wave effects—it does not produce the same results as epoxy resin. For additional guidance, review the Free Step-by-Step Resin Ocean Art Lesson by Natalia Natirum to see the complete process in action.