This is a ‘hands on’ class – bring your art work to varnish and / or resin.

Your tutor Julie will discuss different varnish types and the pro’s and con’s of them. She will provide information about of 3 types of varnish / sealer (spray can, liquid and ‘pour on’) and demonstrate the application of a liquid varnish. Education in preparation and application of resin will also be provided with reference to two resin brands / ratios 1:1 ratio Art Resin and 1:2 ratio Ultra Cast XT (which is good for coasters as it can withstand high temperatures).

You need to bring some art work to seal. You can choose to use Resin, Varnish or both. your tutor will help you assess if your canvas or substrate is suitable for a resin coat. The canvas needs to not be too big and not have a significant sag. Larger canvases may need to use varnish rather than resin.

You will learn

• How to clean and prepare your canvas prior to sealing.
• How to varnish using different methods including spray, foam applicator and various pour application.
• How to mix and apply resin to seal art. Resin that is 1:1 and 1:2 ratios will be available to use depending on your substrate (Canvas or Coasters).
• Resin curing time and how to manage a second coat of resin if needed.

How many artworks can you varnish or resin in the class?

Varnish and Resin are expensive, the class cost has been based on students sealing either:

A. Up to approximately 3 square feet of canvas / substrate using Resin (eg 2 small 8×10 inch and 2 medium 12 x 12 OR the 2 placemats and 2 coasters created in spin Bloom Class)

OR

B. Up to approximately 2 square feet of canvas using Resin and 2 square feet using varnish (eg resin 2 small to medium pieces and varnish a 16×20 inch or similar)

(consider 6 coasters = to 1.2 square foot because of the additional overspill)

For practical reasons, your art being resined or varnished needs to fit on a table 105 x 75 cms, allowing for space around each resin item for a cover.

All instruction, support and materials are supplied.

What Resin or varnish will we use?

For Resin we will use Art Resin or Eli-Chem Resins Ultra Cast XT (or similar)

We will use the brand Art Resin because it have been certified non-toxic when used as directed. It produces no dangerous VOCs or fumes. It uses no solvents and is also non-flammable. It also has a UV stabilizer to help mediate the yellowing that can occur with epoxy resins.

We will use Eli-Chem Resins Ultra Cast XT as like art resin it has UV resistance, is non flammable, odour free and solvent free. It is also designed to withstand high temperatures, so this makes it perfect for coasters (rated to 95 degrees once fully cured).

(NOTE: the resin brands may change depending on availability)

The varnish will be one of a number of spray on acid free varnish and Liquitex gloss varnish.

Like other fluid art classes, it is recommended you wear old clothes.

This class will be for a maximum of 6 students, due to the need for space to leave varnished and resined work flat (and in the case of resin, covered) and still have a work prep area.

Do not attend the class if you are experiencing fever, chills or sweat, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose of have a loss of taste or smell. (A credit to attend another class, or a refund, will be provided if you are unwell).