People who pour resin over their artwork often feel like they’re tossing out the rulebook. Resin gives a stunning depth — that glossy finish pulls colors to the surface and makes them look almost wet. But what happens if you take plain acrylic paint, something just about every hobbyist has bought, and put it into that resin mix? The question gets debated constantly in art forums, and I’ve learned there’s no single answer. I’ve tried both pouring acrylics right into commercial epoxy and painting with them under a resin coat. Both ways change the outcome, and sometimes things don’t go as planned.
Acrylic paint was never designed for resin. Water-based and quick to dry, acrylics don’t dissolve easily the way resin tints do. Water in the acrylic reacts with the resin’s chemistry, often causing cloudiness, clumps, or streaks. It can look unpredictable—and sometimes that’s the appeal, honestly. My first attempt at adding a splash of bright blue acrylic into a clear resin batch ended in a sludge-like mess. I’d only added a tiny amount, but even that wrecked the clarity. I started looking closer: manufacturers explain that acrylic paint shouldn’t exceed about 5% of the total resin volume if you want to keep the resin curing properly.
Most artists want their finished piece to last. Long before resin became a staple, painters cared deeply about fading. Sunlight and even the air can dull or yellow paint over time. Acrylic on its own stands up to a lot — but, locked under resin, the effects can be unpredictable. Not all acrylic paints have the same level of lightfastness, which means bright reds or neons might change faster than you’d hope. Professional-grade acrylics do a better job. I always look for a high ASTM rating and shy away from the bargain bottles for resin projects. It hurts to see a piece yellow or fade after a few months on the wall.
Mixing anything in the garage demands caution. Epoxy resin isn’t harmless; it needs good airflow and gloves at the least. Adding acrylic paint ramps up the need for care. Some paints include pigments that aren’t meant for this kind of chemical environment, possibly releasing fumes or affecting the cure. Even “non-toxic” labels on acrylics lose meaning when you’re altering their chemistry. Artists have reported skin irritation and headaches from resin fumes, so I always crack a window or take my projects outside when possible.
Pouring resin over dry acrylic artwork works better for most people. The paint doesn’t interact, so that clear glaze effect stays sharp. If you’re set on mixing acrylic in, mix the paint thoroughly and keep the ratio low. Test first—nobody wants to waste an expensive batch on an unproven mix. If the project calls for bold color spread right through the resin, consider using pigment powders or dyes made specifically for resin. You can layer color, experiment, and avoid cloudy disaster.
Art feels best when hands get messy and minds try new things. Anyone considering mixing acrylic paint and resin learns quickly. The risks of cloudiness or failed curing are real, so always be ready for a bit of experimentation. There’s reward in seeing something unexpected, just as there’s comfort in a process that reliably gives beauty and clarity. It comes down to patience and having a backup plan for the times things don’t work the way you thought they would. Create, test, and share — that’s how new ideas (and new techniques) take root in the world of art.
