Ocean-Themed Resin Art: How to Create Stunning Coastal Pieces

by Bronwen Morris

Why Ocean Resin Art Is So Popular

There's something endlessly captivating about the ocean — the shifting colours, the movement of waves, the way light plays through water. It's no surprise that ocean-themed resin art has become one of the most sought-after styles, both for DIY artists and collectors of handmade pieces.

Whether you're creating your first resin pour or looking to level up your coastal art, this guide will walk you through the techniques that bring ocean resin art to life.

Choosing Your Ocean Colour Palette

The secret to convincing ocean resin art is in the colours. Here's a palette that works beautifully:

  • Deep navy or midnight blue — for the deep water in the background
  • Cobalt or royal blue — mid-water tones
  • Teal and aqua — the transition zone where depth meets shallows
  • Turquoise and seafoam green — shallow water near the shore
  • White — essential for wave foam, lacing, and highlights

Our Signature Pigments include a range of ocean-perfect shades that are UV-resistant, so your coastal colours won't fade over time.

The Lacing Technique: Creating Realistic Wave Foam

Lacing is the technique that gives ocean resin art its signature look — those delicate white tendrils that mimic sea foam and breaking waves. Here's how to achieve it:

  1. Mix your base colours and pour them onto your surface in horizontal bands, darkest at the back, lightest at the front.
  2. Prepare a white lacing mix — white pigment mixed into resin at a slightly higher ratio than your base colours (around 8–10%).
  3. Apply the white mix along the edges where your colour bands meet, using a squeeze bottle or spoon for control.
  4. Use a heat gun — held about 15–20cm from the surface — to push the white resin into the coloured layers. This creates the organic, flowing lace pattern.
  5. Repeat and build — add more white and use the heat gun in sweeping motions to develop the wave effect.

Tip: Less is more with lacing. It's easy to overdo the white — add it gradually and step back often to assess the overall effect.

Creating Depth with Layered Pours

The most striking ocean pieces have a sense of real depth — you feel like you could reach into the water. Achieve this with layered pours:

  1. First layer: Pour your darkest blues and let them reach gel stage (tacky but not fully cured, around 4–8 hours).
  2. Second layer: Add your mid-tones — cobalt, teal — and blend slightly at the edges.
  3. Third layer: Pour your lightest colours (turquoise, seafoam) and add your lacing.

Each layer adds visual depth, and because you're pouring onto a partially cured surface, the colours bond without fully blending into each other.

Ocean Resin on Clocks and Functional Art

One of the most popular applications for ocean resin art is on functional pieces like clocks — and it's easy to see why. The circular shape of a clock face mirrors the natural curves of waves, and the finished piece becomes both art and a practical addition to any room.

Our Ocean Clocks and Signature Ocean Clock are handcrafted using exactly these techniques — each one is unique, with its own wave patterns and colour variations. They make a stunning gift or statement piece for any coastal-inspired home.

Tips for Beginners

  • Work in a warm environment — resin flows and levels best at 21–24°C. Cold temperatures make resin thick and difficult to manipulate.
  • Use a level surface — even a slight tilt will cause your resin to pool unevenly as it cures.
  • Don't rush the heat gun — slow, sweeping passes give you more control than quick blasts.
  • Protect your workspace — resin is permanent. Cover your table with a silicone mat or plastic sheeting.
  • Be patient — allow each layer to fully cure (usually 24–48 hours) before adding the next, unless you're intentionally doing a wet-on-wet pour.

Inspired to Create?

Ocean resin art is one of those techniques that looks incredibly complex but is very achievable once you understand the basics. Start small — a coaster or small panel — and work your way up to larger pieces as your confidence grows.

If you'd love a stunning ocean resin piece without the DIY, browse our collection of handcrafted Ocean Clocks — each one is a one-of-a-kind original made right here in Australia.

Have questions or want to share your ocean resin creations? Leave a comment below — we'd love to see what you make!

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