Technique: Resin with foil mixed in
Win: Yes
Challenge:
- To create a faux stone-style slab using cut, unconditioned pieces of clay mixed with faux blue “gold” leaf
- To incorporate the hammered texture into the design
- To finish the pieces with a coat of resin
Lessons Learned:
- I’ve seen examples online of similar techniques where much more of the metallic leaf shows through. It’s possible that a single sheet of faux gold leaf wasn’t enough, or that those artists rolled and compressed their slabs more than I did.
- Although the effect is more subtle than I expected, I still really like the finished look.
- For this particular technique, resin isn’t optional. It brings out the depth, colour, and shine in a way that the raw clay surface simply doesn’t.
Confidence Level: 8/10
Notes:
Today’s project reminded me that expectations and results don’t always match, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I set out hoping for something bold and dramatic, but ended up with something quieter and more understated. The resin transformed the piece completely, revealing details that weren’t obvious beforehand and giving the faux stone effect a polished, finished appearance. Not every experiment needs to be loud to be successful.
