Making resin pens has become one of our favorite projects. And we know that many of you agree. Especially when we use UV Resin and the process only takes minutes!
Today, Kaelee Ruppel of Mountain Laurel Designs is showing us how to make watercolor UV Resin pens that are simple to do and beautiful to see!
With alcohol inks as your medium, you have the power to blend, layer, and swirl brilliant colors together, creating a watercolor look that evoke emotion and delight the senses.
The fluidity of alcohol inks lends itself beautifully to creating beautiful patterns and gradients that breathe life into your UV resin pens. So grab your UV Resin
and favorite shades of Brea Reese Alcohol Inks, and let's get started!
How to Make Watercolor UV Resin Pens
If you have worked with alcohol inks before, you know how much fun it is to watch them do their thing. We choose the shades of ink and apply them. But that's where our control mostly ends, the inks seem to be an equal participant in the creative process!
Every drop, every swirl, every gentle movement shapes the final outcome, transforming a simple pen into a work of art.
The transparent nature of UV resin allows the colors to shine through, creating a kaleidoscope of brilliance that catches the light and enchants the eye.
The Water Cure Method
In the video below, Kaelee teaches us how to use the water cure method for curing our UV resin pens. It's a simple way to get fabulous results.
One of the key advantages of the water cure method is its ability to produce flawless, bubble-free finishes on your UV resin pens.
As the water surrounds the curing resin, it creates a barrier that minimizes air exposure, preventing bubbles from forming and ensuring a smooth, glass-like surface that is both professional and visually appealing.
Say goodbye to unwanted imperfections and hello to perfectly polished pens that exude craftsmanship and elegance.
Strengthen your Pens
Beyond aesthetics, the water cure method also contributes to the durability and strength of your UV resin pens. By utilizing water to cure the resin, you enhance its structural integrity, creating pens that are more resistant to wear, scratches, and external factors that may impact their longevity.
This added strength not only improves the overall quality of your creations but also ensures that your pens stand the test of time, serving as lasting tokens of your creativity and craftsmanship.
Watercolor UV Resin Pen Supply List
- Protective gloves
- Filter mask
- Silicone mat
- UV Resin (White and Clear)
- UV Lamp
- Medicine cups
- Mixing Sticks
- Cup of water
- Paper towel
- Sterling Snow Glitter
- Brea Reese Alcohol Inks (Kaelee uses three shades of green and a copper)
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Tiny sponge brush
- Refillable gel pen
- Sanding sponge or sand paper
- Dowel to put your pen on
- Pop of Color Shock Paint (White or French Blue for base coat)
- Paint brush
- Heat Gun
Step by Step Instructions
- Start by disassembling your gel pen, keeping track of all the parts. Then remove the clip from the pen using pliers or something similar. Clip the jagged edges and sand if necessary.
- Next give the whole pen a light sand to scuff it up. Then place the pen on a dowel.
- Use a paint brush to add your base coat of Pop of Color Paint. Any light color will work. White is perfect, French Blue is another great option. Let your paint dry. Our paint dries really quickly but if you want to speed it up you can use your heat gun.
- Put some Sterling Snow glitter into a medicine cup and then add half White UV Resin and half Clear. Mix well to combine.
- Using a gloved finger, apply the glitter resin to the pen. Make sure it's a smooth even layer.
- Put the pen under the UV Lamp for one minute, spinning as it cures.
- Then prop your lamp up against the glass of water. Place your pen into the water and spin it as it cures. This should only take a minute or two.
- Once the resin has cured, remove the pen from the water and dry it thoroughly with paper towel.
- Using one medicine cup for each of your alcohol inks, add a few drops to the cups. In a last cup, pour a bit of the isopropyl alcohol.
- Starting with your lightest color and working your way to the darkest, start to add your inks to the pen. There is no rhyme or reason to how this gets done, just have fun! Finish it off with the copper.
- Then use a little piece of sponge brush and dip it in the alcohol. Dab any excess off and then dab the alcohol right onto the inks. This will help them to move and blend, giving you the watercolor look.
- Once the ink has dried, add a thin layer of the clear UV Resin, smoothing it out with your gloved finger. Then use the same water cure method that we did before to cure the pen.
- Now that your resin is cured, reassemble your pen and it's ready to use!
The Finishing Touches
What makes watercolor UV resin pens with alcohol inks so special is their ability to reflect your unique style, creativity, and vision. Whether you prefer bold, vivid colors or soft, pastel tones, each pen you create becomes a reflection of your artistic loves.
These personalized creations are not just writing instruments but also tokens of self-expression, creativity, and the joy of crafting something truly one-of-a-kind.
A big thanks to Kaelee for sharing her experience and know-how with us! She has taken the guess work out of this process for us and we are so grateful. If you loved learning from Kaelee, you can see what else she has going on by checking out her Facebook Page and her website!
Pop of Color Shock Paints are sold exclusively at Counter Culture DIY. So now you have even more reasons to stop by!
You can find more awesome video tutorials like this one on our YouTube channel!
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If you want more inspiration and information we have a Facebook group for that. Join us in Counter Culture DIY Artist Support where we, and other artists, offer ideas, answer questions, and support each other!
Do you have an art project using any of our products that you want to share? Send it to us at support@counterculturediy.com, and we can feature them here!