Resin sculptures are statues or other three-dimensional works of art cast using fiberglass resin. Resin is a fairly lightweight, durable material that can be painted and glazed to look like stone, porcelain, bronze or marble. It is used to make a wide variety of products. For art, resin is relatively inexpensive compared to other materials, making it ideal when an artist wants to make multiple sculptures. Resin has also become a popular material for making small statues, jewelry, figurines and various collectibles.
At sculptureshome, we provide you with high quality resin sculptures, whether it’s a modern work of art or a traditional sculpture, we can personalize it according to your needs and design concepts.
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Resin itself is a mixture of several materials, including polyurethane, silicone, epoxy and polyester. Resin sculptures are strong and durable, but not indestructible. Cold, freezing conditions can cause resin to break as the material shrinks and then expands when the temperature rises. In cold weather, any resin sculpture kept outside should be brought inside.
The process of making a resin sculpture begins when the sculptor creates the original model out of clay, wax, or other materials. A mold is made from the sculpture by covering the model with a liquid molding material. Popular molding materials include silicone, rubber, and plaster. The sculpture may need to be coated with a separator such as petroleum jelly to ensure that the mold can be removed fairly easily. Silicone is a very desirable molding material because it does not require a separator.
The mold is removed from the model as the casting material dries. The molds are separated along one or more parting lines, creating different molds for different parts of the sculpture. For resin sculptures, molds made of rubber, silicone, and other flexible materials are usually sufficient for casting. Harder materials, such as metal, wood, and plaster, can also be used to make molds. The inside of the mold may need to be coated with polyvinyl alcohol or coated with talcum powder to ensure that the resin sculpture can be removed.
When casting resin sculptures, a catalyst must be added to the liquid resin mixture to begin the hardening process. Commonly used catalysts include the volatile methyl ethyl ketone peroxide and the less harmful benzoyl peroxide. A frequent problem in the casting process is the presence of air bubbles in the resin. Air bubbles can be controlled by mixing powdered bronze or similar materials and ensuring that the mold is vented to the top to allow air to escape.
The most common type of resin used is polyester, which is usually green and glassy clear when cast unless a colorant is added. Figurines commonly found in stores are usually cast in polyester resin. Polyester resins are toxic and produce unpleasant odors, so they require adequate space, ventilation, and other safety measures. Clear and more durable epoxy resins may be better suited for artists working from home, although epoxy resins tend to be more expensive. Silicone and polyurethane resins are prized for their flexibility, although the odor of polyurethane can be particularly unpleasant during the casting process and is always detectable in the finished work.
