How to make Resin Geode Art? - Beginner's Guide

Resin Geode Art has become a popular technique and style among Resin Art enthusiasts. It allows natural geode lovers to experiment with vibrant pigment colors and utilize textures such as genuine crystals, crushed glass, and even spray foam to represent their favorite gems! 

However, achieving success in resin geode art requires a structured process and attention to detail. In this tutorial, we'll walk you through the essential steps to create your first resin geode art piece, ensuring a rewarding process and stunning outcome by mastering the magic of MEYSPRING Pigments for Epoxy.

What is Geode Art?

First things first! If you are new to this art form, you might wonder what resin geode art is. It all begins with the fascinating beauty of Natural Geodes formed by air pockets trapped within rocks. This phenomenon typically occurs after volcanic eruptions when lava cools around air bubbles. Groundwater seeps in, bringing along minerals that slowly produce geodes over time. These minerals accumulate and form crystals and colorful layers that can take thousands or even millions of years to form.[1] Different minerals provide different glorious colors. For example, iron gives crystals a red or purple color; titanium creates blue; nickel or chromium leads to green; and manganese produces pink crystals.

Many creatives and crafters find inspiration in these compelling geological formations. They love to represent them using Epoxy Resin colored with shimmery particles in our mineral pigments like mica powders or true metallic pigments. The geode-inspired pieces are usually poured on wooden panels or canvas with added metallic highlights and textures to emulate nature's beauty. 

Geode Resin Art Tutorial

Let’s go over the process of creating a Resin Geode! Before getting started with your first masterpiece, you’ll want to have supplies prepped and ready to go! Having everything set out ahead of time will reduce “pouring panic” - a term we’ve coined when you’re mid-pour and realize you’re missing something essential or something goes awry while the clock is ticking for the working time of your epoxy.

For everything you need to know before pouring resin, check out our blog article “A Beginners Guide to Resin Art”!

Supplies Needed

Here is a list of supplies we used for this tutorial:

• Wood Canvas (These are much sturdier than fabric canvases and won’t cave in when heavy textures are added)
• Epoxy Resin 
• MEYSPRING Pigments
• Acrylic Varnish  
• Crushed Glass & Crystals
• Masking Tape
• Small Paint Brush
• Silicone Mat
• Plastic Mixing Cups
• Stir Sticks
• Paint Markers/Pens
• Heat Gun
• Heat Torch
• PPE - See “Epoxy Resin Safety & PPE For Resin Art”

Choosing Your Palette

Selecting the right colors sets the foundation for a gorgeous resin geode. You can go for a harmonious palette of similar hues or a contrasting one using complementary colors. Consider using a 3-color palette to create visual interest using the 60-30-10 Rule. 

What’s the 60-30-10 rule?

When it comes to visual arts and crafts, there's a technique called the 60-30-10 Rule that can help artists distribute colors in the final piece. The goal is to make it easy for viewers to move their eyes across the artwork and create a balanced and harmonious piece that can be appreciated as a whole.

This rule states that the dominant color should occupy 60% of the design, the secondary color should occupy 30%, and an accent color should occupy only up to 10% of the layout.

For the purpose of this tutorial, we apply this method using:

• Green Pyromorphite in 60% of the piece
• White Chalcedony in 30%
• Gilded Gold in 10% as an accent color

Designing Your Layout

Planning and sketching your geode design beforehand can streamline the creation process and reduce mistakes when it’s time to pour. Experimenting with different layouts allows for creative exploration, whether incorporating more naturalistic elements or abstract patterns.

Most artists simply sketch the outline on the canvas or wooden surface in pencil. We recommend writing a little note or the initials of the colors you’ll be pouring in each section since it’s easy to forget what is going where when you get going.

 

Pro tip: Before getting started, decide if you want to tape the edges of your canvas or let the epoxy run over. You may also want to “prime” your canvas with acrylic paint. Both of these steps are optional. Just ensure any priming layers are completely dry before pouring epoxy on top.

Time to Pour Resin

Let the fun begin! First, thoroughly mix your Epoxy parts A and B. Then, divide the final mixture into smaller vessels depending on the number of colors you'll use. To properly color your resin, it's essential to incorporate the pigment powders until there are no clumps or visible striations. Keep in mind that a little bit of any MEYSPRING Pigment goes a long way, so we suggest adding it gradually until you achieve the desired opacity level.

Once these mixes have thickened to roughly the viscosity of room-temperature honey, you’re ready to pour!

Pro tip: You don’t want the resin to be runny; otherwise, your design may bleed together or run off the canvas. 

Slowly pour each section of the design. Once your “solid” sections are poured, set any remaining resin to the side. Lightly go over the poured resin with a heat gun or torch to pop any bubbles.

Adding Textures and Special Effects

Incorporating textures such as crushed glass, glitter, or beads into your resin geode art will enhance depth and visual appeal. Experiment with techniques to achieve desired effects like cells, floating effects, or crystalline structures.

In this tutorial, we add some “streaks” using Green Pyromorphite in the White Chalcedony “solid” section, and vice versa. 

To do so, carefully drizzle the color of choice in the “solid” section. Then, use a heat gun to blend the colors or a torch to keep the lines bolder. Both methods will create cells. Be careful not to overdo the heat, as too much will cause a blowout, potentially messing up your design.

Repeat this step as needed until you reach the desired effect.

Once you’re finished pouring, it’s time to add textures while the resin is still tacky! Adding crushed glass or crystals during this step, like in this tutorial, will help seal the bottom layer of embellishments to the canvas.

Add a little at a time, and be careful not to drop pieces onto other parts of the wet canvas. However, If you do, having a set of tweezers handy will help you quickly remove them without disturbing the resin too much.

Pro Tip: If you create a “mound” with your textures, don't tip your canvas until the final flood coat has cured, as the textures will not be fully sealed in place.

Adding Gilding and Accent Lines

Gilding lines add an elegant touch to resin geode art, elevating its aesthetic appeal. Master the application of gilding lines with precision and finesse for a polished finish.

Once your resin layer has fully cured, the “Gilding” or accenting process will bring your piece to life!

Several methods can be used to create “Gilding” effects. In this tutorial, we combine Gilded Gold with a clear acrylic varnish and apply it around the crystals to create a border.

Use paint marker pens or resin combined with glitter to add final touches, such as line work or glitter lines (not shown in the video).

Pro Tip: When starting out, it can be easy to overdo details. However, less can be more! Add a few details, sit with it, then decide to add more if you’d like! It’s easier to add than remove.

Flood Coat and Finishing Details

Apply a flood coat of resin to seal your artwork and achieve a glossy finish. Pay attention to final touches, such as embellishments, to enhance durability and visual appeal.

When pouring your flood/top coat, use enough epoxy to pour a nice, thick, and, most importantly, even coat over the entire surface. When it comes to this final pour, having more resin than not enough is always better. Make sure to have a resin mold or another piece handy to pour any excess in!

Sit with your piece for a little bit and lightly go over the entire surface with a heat gun or torch to pop any bubbles that rise to the surface. Repeat as needed. 

Then, once no more bubbles are rising, carefully cover your canvas to prevent dust or hair from falling onto your piece.

Pro Tip: When pouring the clear coat over embellishments, use a “drizzle method.” This will prevent the clear coat from “flooding” your crystals while still sealing them.

Once the flood coat has fully cured, remove the masking tape from the sides of the canvas. Blowing a heat gun on LOW (over the taped areas only) will help the tape come off smoothly, leaving a clean edge!

Then, using the same method as the Gilding Step, mix a bit of acrylic varnish with Gilded Gold and paint on the canvas edges for a nice, finished look! As mentioned before, this step is optional. If you let the resin run over the edges, remove any tape from the backside or sand the drips off.

Conclusions

Creating your first resin geode art piece is an exciting journey of self-expression and creativity. The most important part is working with the proper supplies to achieve the desired look and effects. We recommend to use a high-viscosity resin that stays in place to avoid ruining your layout, but remember that the self-leveling property in most resins makes it move around a little bit, so your initial design will always change slightly.

Pigments and textures will significantly affect your process and final results as well. High-quality pigments, like our Mica Powders for Epoxy, will produce amazing special effects and cells while providing stunning color combination options.

Using the 60-30-10 Rule when planning your project to ensure a pleasant color distribution in your artwork, is always a good practice. Having a white tone in your palette helps to guide the eye and creates balance.

Always remember to embrace experimentation and personalize your creations! 

Share your finished pieces and experiences with the MEYSPRING Community by tagging us @meyspring on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and TikTok. Can't wait to see what you create!