My Best Fail! Epoxy Resin Fantasy Diorama

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#BlackMagicCraft #Episode269 #diorama
I have been overwhelmed with various projects, and a pretty hefty creative workload over the past several weeks, a lot of which centers around very dark content and styles. I needed a refreshing reboot to my creativity so I created this lovely magical meadow diorama.
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Model printed with Phrozen Sonic Mini 8k and Aqua-Gray 8K Resin: phrozen3d.com?aff=198
Fancy plants from www.gamersgras...
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HUGE THANKS *ARCHVILLAIN GAMES* FOR SPONSORING THIS VIDEO! CHECK THEM OUT : bit.ly/AVBMC PHYSICAL MODELS: bit.ly/BMCOG Model printed with Phrozen Sonic Mini 8k and Aqua-Gray 8K Resin: phrozen3d.com?aff=198 Fancy plants from www.gamersgrass.com

[@jst1man]

Dude, I can't believe you forgot about isopropyl alcohol on top of epoxy resin to pop bubbles!

[@bengamingames5002]

The sponsor models look super cool, also what an awesome build! Thanks for inspiring us!

[@BlackMagicCraftOfficial]

I didn't want to pop the top bubbles. Those look good. It's the big bubbles below that were the problem.

[@Geordiecrafts]

@@BlackMagicCraftOfficial I actually think the bubbles on the surface look really good. That's the kind that build up you get from little fish and critters making their nests and laying eggs, so it worked out well!

[@Sinderfolm]

Man, the Bubbles are great. It looks like a natural spring. It's not planned like this but I even like it more with the whirlpool effect. Guess after sitting next to that whirlpool our woodland-friend will take a dip.

[@sventheultimate]

How have I never thought of using peanut butter as a basing material!

[@signemadsen6141]

I honestly love the way the bubbles added a sense of heated natural pool to the look. He looks so serene and comfortable! Also very excited to know Ikea has glass domes like this, as I've been looking for one myself for a while! Great video as always!

[@BlackMagicCraftOfficial]

Hot springs!

[@Timberwolf69]

@@BlackMagicCraftOfficial The resin failed successfully... I love it.

[@skylersanders4498]

Sucks about the bubbles but honestly I love it, I feel like a geyser could be really cool in a scaled up version of this

[@mrgunn2726]

The guys over on Sigmar use a vacuum pot to get bubbles out.

[@GoobertownHobbies]

Danggggg that turned out great! flawless victory. love the beats.

[@mikekennedyart]

Hey Jeremy! This looks awesome! Honestly I think the bubbles look awesome here, it looks kinda like a druidic magic infused hot springs. I've done a few resin pours with live edge wood and one thing i've had success with in preventing bubbles from forming is first painting a very thin layer of resin over anything porous and letting it cure before doing the main pour. The thinner coat gets into all the little air pockets and seals everything up and prevents air from getting drawn out over curing. I hope this helps!!

[@jacobsteeley3909]

I absolutely love this piece. Honestly the bubbles remind me of the times i was able to SCUBA in freshwater springs and it gives this guy a father of the forest vibe.

[@tfGalvatron1]

All the bubbles catch the light in a really cool way, makes the whole piece feel even more magical

[@Spark_Chaser]

The airbrush to brush speckling technique did great on the mushrooms. Never would have thought to try that.

[@Flyingchipmunkofd00m]

I use that exact same resin when I make dice! The reason you get the bubbles is because of all the air trapped in the paper addons and the wood! Honestly anything pourous really holds onto the air. For the plants I suggest dipping and swirling them in the resin mix before hand and place them wet. For the wood it's difficult, I know people like to seal the wood first. Personally I avoid wood wood and would go with a plastic scatter terrain! For the curing portion! I'm from Manitoba so i know the weather is never too kind with resin. If you are curing it in a cooler place it will take longer to cure. If you are wanting it to be clear, your best bet is to have/know someone with a pressure pot. A vacuum chamber is also good if you dont want to make a pressure pot, however it's not full proof.

[@mcampbell7144]

Like... A pressure cooker/instant pot?

[@Flyingchipmunkofd00m]

@@mcampbell7144 nope! Althought I wish! It's originally a Air Pressure paint tank. But you do have to modify it so it holds pressure inside usually for about as long as it takes the resin to cure. There are tutorials online for it

[@smjrn]

I was thinking that the bubbles in the resin came about because the foam wasn’t sealed enough. Resin got through the paint and melted enough of the foam to create the bubbles.

[@kyledouglas1018]

This build is awesome, the bubbles added a tension like somethings building underwater which contrasts with the serenity of the Druid looking guy

[@julianec8494]

It turned out really cool! I don't mind the bubbles, it looks like moving water. Awesome composition and great work! ♡

[@fellowshipofthecraftofficial]

It looks INCREDIBLE! The bubbles in the resin make it look like it's a magical bubbling water source. I think it adds to this being a magical scene more than the clear water may have :)

[@marykayryan7891]

For what it's worth, I think the way the bubbles happened in the water looks cool. It makes the water look mysterious and like maybe there's activity going on down there. The whole thing looks great.

[@komma8203]

Cool video. To bad about the resin, you should invest in a vacuum pump and a vacuum chamber, and a pressure chamber, its not that insanly expenciv and it will help you with any resin and take out all the bubbles, works great for a bunch of things we do in this hobby, with silicone its almost a must

[@komma8203]

@Ammar Haji yeh, it would do so he could vac the resin before pouring it, and then put the hole pice in the pressure chamber and that would press the air that was trapped in the tuffs and stuff so small that you could not see them. Its some pretty great tools to have

[@tiffanysandmeier4753]

Those bubbles look a little like water. And most of the bubbles were either from air caught in the plants when pouring or heat from the resin curing. A vacuum chamber wouldn't have helped much. A pressure pot might have helped, but honestly some bubbles are appropriate for a stream.

[@Midnotion]

@@komma8203 Wouldn't using a pressure chamber risk collapsing the foam base?

[@OminousPinapple]

@@Midnotion that's a pretty good point, depends if it's closed or open cell foam

[@kurtweidmann6895]

The vacuum chamber is a must, but also, coming from an old retired Model maker from Motion picture industry, Your pour was way to high, more distance from the base of the pour the more air bubbles... Use a container with a elongated pour spout... to get closer to the base. Love your site...

[@MonkeyJedi99]

The ferns in the foliage really put the chef's kiss on the diorama!

[@ForgottenStreams]

Beautiful piece. Love the bubbles, too, they add a sense of oxygen production, which makes it even feel more like "wholesome and healthy nature"

[@makeshiftminis9090]

Regardless of how the resin turned out I think the peace came together quite nicely. I love the natural colors and the tranquility of this little scene.

[@nathanbrehm1085]

The rising bubbles give life to the water. I like it.

[@AVspectre]

For anyone wondering, you can often find display containers like that often under the term ‘cloche’. Dollar Stores carry small ones, and my local currently has large plastic ones for the garden.

[@CookieNinja1430]

I love the overall effect of the bubbles. They add a feeling of movement and make the piece feel that much more alive and vibrant and magical. (A perfect pour would have been lovely too, but imo given the scene a slightly different vibe.) Thanks for the great video!

[@ArchvillainGames]

Huge thanks to you, your awesome videos and most of all your amazing community! YOU ALL ROCK! 🤘

[@carrie4910]

Wow oh WOW!!! I love this so much! I think the bubbles add to the fantasy forest feel.

[@carrie4910]

I love the mini!!!

[@BlackMagicCraftOfficial]

Me too!

[@ArchvillainGames]

Thank you!

[@matthewfoutch6427]

This is awesome. The 'failure' of bubbles looks great. I could see adding a battery LED or two under the epoxy to give a cool under lighting to the piece.

[@TomJones0065]

This is GREAT, I love the bubbles. After all he is sitting by a river! and they do cause Bubbles with the flow! ITS EPIC! SAVED IT!!! Gave me some IDEAS! THANKS SO MUCH!!

[@karlkarlos3545]

Honestly, I love the bubbles. It gives the whole image life as if some big creatures are living under those rocks.

[@ayonmetar2301]

I'm usually not an art-person, but watching you make pretty things makes me genuinly happy ^^

[@Molly-Pop]

I had a really rough week, this was EXACTLY the kind of peaceful scene I needed. Thank you.

[@Berserkerworks]

I don't think I've ever seen a water effect inside a dome like this before, its a very cool idea! And ever if the bubbles weren't what you were after, I think it makes the scene even more magical.

[@seymourbutz5353]

The bubbles, while unintentional, are great! I think it really adds to the piece, its showing that the plants under the water are capable of photosynthesis lol

[@willmendoza8498]

Absolutely gorgeous. Possibly my favorite piece you have done.

[@Rayne_Storms]

The bubbles make it look like a cool hot spring, these are some great Zelda vibes. Nicely done.

[@nekomancer5275]

It reminds me of the beautiful forest scenes from the dark crystal. I think you did a wonderful job

[@thedukeofweasels6870]

The bubbles kind of work it feels like a swamp with a lot of primordial ooze and rotting vegetation which kind of adds to the whimsical nature overgrowth vibe

[@dawnemami3089]

This looks awesome.. the bubbles look like a natural hot springs with the water bubbling up😃 kind of like an artesian spring to!

[@FabienMariauxdeSerres]

It’s beautiful and the bubbles are the kind of happy accident that would be nearly impossible to do on purpose. It’s a major win.

[@lunarsilver8698]

I prefer the bubbles it gives it a very lively look to the water like a hot spring and enhances the look

[@spiridiums]

Looking at the finished product, it kinda looks like he's the guardian of a magical healing spring. Like the water is some sort of natural hot springs, but due to the magical nature of the spring it isn't hot or sulphuric, allowing nature to flourish in a very green, forest-y way. The bubbles might have been an unfortunate accident but they lend itself really well to the end. Way to pull a Bob Ross with the happy accidents! :D

[@charleslatora5750]

Just say the bubbles are coming up a natural special spring spa water. bathing in the bubbles renews your skin n your life... dude you have excellent talent. well done!

[@JewDew4]

You really gotta make a video where you look into all these epoxy fails. Figuring out what happens and if the resin or other materials making these flaws... I love when you fail, because it really makes the rest of us aware of what we do.

[@jakoblauridsen4347]

A little led filament light in the back behind the resin could add a magic glow coming up from the lake, would look really cool with the bubbles I think!

[@cameronbolton2820]

The bubbles fit well in this piece! Lovely work!

[@hakbash7588]

That came out really nice. The plants are over the top for sure. I love it.

[@stephaniegrehan9084]

That was fun and peaceful. He looks great hanging out in the forest

[@RauMins]

Gosh damn gorgeous I must say! Even with the bubbly resin, those plans and beautiful paintjob on the mini make this piece to look like it's from a dream world ♥

[@grimbostink7607]

I know you would have preferred the resin to be clear but the bubbles make the river look so much more animated and alive. coupled with the mini, it almost looks like he's a spirit of the forest itself and nature is "excited" by his mere presence. Sprouting fungi and flora where ever he steps and making brooks and streams babble with joy at their father returning

[@jefferymartens6303]

From the literal depths of despair to an idyllic image of life and peace, your art covers as broad a range as our spring weather! Beautiful piece!

[@millenniumf1138]

I love how it turned out!! If you're bothered by bubbles though, it might be time to invest in a vacuum chamber to pull the bubbles out before pouring. You could also get a pressure pot to set it in as it's curing to make any residual bubbles shrink to microscopic size so they're invisible.

[@thomaswilliams5005]

Honestly the bubbles make it look so cool. Not what you were going for, but i really like it

[@aaronhoes]

Idols of Tranquillity, the sequel to Idols of Torment. Love the piece. I honestly think the bubbles improve it. It makes the river feel alive.

[@BlackMagicCraftOfficial]

🤣

[@jeremiahmason6127]

It turned out amazing! The reason the bubbles started to go away and then come back was the first set was obviously from mixing but the later ones that you got were from moisture getting into the resin, this could be from old resin left on the shelf a long time, or if you poured out both A and B and let it sit for a wile before mixing them together (I usually noticed this if it was left out for 30mins in a 25% humidity level room) and the last other reason would be from moisture from the wooden stir stick used to mix it or the paints/ things you used to decorate it (plants etc.) only way to stop that would be to seal it with a clear paint/glue or just use a pressure pot.

[@jamesgalbreath343]

If all my "fails" turned out that "bad" I'd be ecstatically happy! Congrats on really clever project filled with bubbles and charm!

[@shellv4094]

Fantastic job! Thank you for posting this even though the resin didn’t come out as you wanted. I find it inspiring and also reassuring that not every project has to turn out “perfect” but the important thing is to enjoy the process.

[@recycledfantasy9240]

Awesome work!!! No worries for the bubbles, final result is amazingly beautiful👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@sabrinanelsen8660]

Lol, I also want that guy to be my life. How relatable. It looks so cool!

[@zexiXcarmen]

I adore how this turned out, I'm so glad you ended up liking it despite the resin mishap. The point where you were talking about hiding the pink lighting, I could not stop staring at the resin effect because it looks like it's lit from below/inside with the way it was catching the light. It really is just so, so pretty.

[@alexcochrane5639]

It looks like natural bubbles escaping from something. The result is awesome.

[@EelcoWind]

Happy accidents, the bubbles look great! Glad you kept the glass and love the red-ish accents that draw your attention in the green environment.

[@samuelgilroy5850]

I actually quite like that resin effect, it helps give a really good impression of a cutaway of a flowing stream, even if it wasn’t intentional

[@LovesToCamp35]

Absolutely gorgeous piece! The glass dome display is super fun.

[@julieaubutgaudet4403]

I know we aren’t seeing a super close up of the resin pour but from my perspective the bubbles look really cool and enhance the piece!

[@stevenwhite7763]

Looks great. I use the same brand epoxy resin. It is an extra step if you do this again, use a crappy old brush and soak the vegetation. Any gasses in the resin will gravitate to air bubbles around items inserted into it, learned the hard way while making a beach diorama. Also, you need to babysit the resin. Every 15 minutes or so for an hour and a half, check the surface for bubbles. You can blow through a drinking straw, lightly pass a lighter or a low temp heat gun across the surface to pop the bubbles. If needed, a thin pin can be used to encourage the bubbles inside to come out.

[@mikemartin3671]

Really very nice results! I do want to thank you for showing your successes and challenges. In so doing you inspire me to try new things, and not be afraid of making mistakes. You handle set backs better than I do, I tend to "spiral". Through your "chilled out", approachable, honest style you're an exemplary figure in the community and I dare say a role model. This was a really cool and relaxing video, I greatly appreciated it. You've come a long way and are still producing innovative content! Kudos. Hope you and your loved ones are well, and haven't been impacted too much by current conditions. Take care.

[@arronlock82]

Wonderful! I love everything about this. I would have LOVED a little fish placed in the resin just to add even more life to this! Inspirational, as usual!

[@BlackMagicCraftOfficial]

I REALLY considered that. Turns out it would have been a waste with the resin bubbles, but would have been cool had the resin gone perfectly.

[@rangerofmirkwood746]

I liked the "forbidden peanut butter" line, when he was putting down the vallejo ground texture. At 3:26

[@statesrights01]

Bubbles look fine and with all the mushrooms and flowers about, hot springs under water will do that. 👍

[@ryansullivan5854]

Even with the bubbles that turned out great - definitely a departure from some of your recent videos! I’m impressed at how you stick with it when your hands get shaking. Detail work is hard enough as it is.

[@BlackMagicCraftOfficial]

Just gotta push through it, and hope stuff lands where you aim :D

[@brendanarmstrong7802]

Keeping the diorama in place in the Bell Jar seems like a perfect application for museum wax. Just in case you ever wanted to transplant it.

[@Excaliber158]

That plant sprout at 14:42

[@johneberts2918]

looks great a sunny day by the hot springs

[@RauMins]

One thing I saw about working with clear resin pouring, is that you can put the 2 resin bottles in some warm water to warm the resin up before pouring them and mixing them, apparently that can also help with bubbles forming but you would need to test it with the resin that you work with.

[@andrewsjurseth2517]

This piece is simply beautiful

[@sirguy6678]

Awesome job! Even “fails” can end successfully!

[@RavenMinis]

Remember way back when Jeremy claimed to bot be a great mini painter.... I think he's been hussling us this whole time

[@BlackMagicCraftOfficial]

If you do something enough, you eventually get decent at it!

[@Ljaysauz]

I was gonna say, that druid model is absolutely incredible. Really amazing job, the osl effect is subtle but very effective. Hope he's proud of it!

[@danielprosser7834]

I love this! I've seen those Ikea displays a few times and struggled to know what to do with them. I now feel inspired!

[@velrockartminiatures]

I can't get enough of highly detailed dioramas, despite the "fail" it looks incredible. The bubbles give it character, maybe it's a natural hot spring!

[@haruka6844]

I love mushrooms so much 😩 there just so cool and cute and the vibes

[@thetabletopsupershow3670]

Neat build! I love the Vallejo Textures, I like using them as the earth base before static grass applications.

[@jimihaze7085]

Absolutely incredible, Jeremy. Inspiring! This really makes me want to break into custom scenery for basing.

[@pennyvan1875]

It is STUNNING!!!! Well done!

[@RockRidX]

Awesome video. Fishing line from the dome lid for the eagle would be cool, instead of the pin. Keep on doin you Jeremy.

[@goblincavecrafting]

Mixing resin with a wooden stick introduces bubbles, even if you mix it very slowly and carefully, so using a silicone one can help there. Epoxy also interacts strangely with adhesives sometimes to form bubbles. I love the results, even if it wasn’t what you’d intended.

[@jodykropholler9108]

Beautiful painting, Jeremy! Wow you've really improved your painting a lot in the past year. Impressive and lovely piece.

[@richardlionheart3935]

I actually like the way the resin turned out.. It gives the water more "life". Resin water can be very bland a lot of the time but that looks like a slice of a rapidly flowing river. :)

[@MagashiSaizen]

Might be a good investment to get yourself a pressure pot for future resin projects that way you can eliminate uncertainty from getting unwanted bubbles, otherwise a really awesome project, I love the miniature and the paint job on it 😁

[@grampawerewolf9832]

Good one, Jeremy! A nice "peace bubble" amidst the mayhem & thanks for the magic moment 🇨🇦🇺🇦

[@dawnjackson5773]

The bubbles look like it is a spring. I live in the Ocala Florida area. And we have alot of springs including the spring where the Creature from the Black Lagoon was filmed at. So the bubbles look really on point and cool.

[@Dddsasul]

I think this is one of your best pieces yet, looks amazing great job!

[@okayminiatures7573]

Nice work! Also, love the "pretend your mistakes were intentional"

[@obadijahparks]

The way you rubber banded that together was clever.

[@BlackMagicCraftOfficial]

A very handy tool!

[@metajock]

Absolutely beautiful.

[@GoldenRogueMinis]

Absolutely stunning, I even think the resin looks good with the bubbles. I feel inspired to make something similar, hopefully I get around to it

[@cabe_bedlam]

Way to roll with the outcome, clearly the druid is ready to have a nice hot bath!

[@evilqueen6402]

the buibbles are proobably coming from the foam and plant stuff, you can use a small amount of resin and "paint" a thin seal over the bottom and let that cure before the main resin pour, that should give you a better result. it should also help seal the edges so you dont have to worry about leaks as much. if you dont want to wait a whole extra day you can invest in uv resin for sealing everything

[@BlackMagicCraftOfficial]

A think layer of UV resin to seal everything is probably a good idea in general. I think this was less of a reaction to other stuff and more an issue of it being too deep of a pour and getting too hot too fast. It cured WAY faster than it should have. But who knows. It's probably just because I'm cursed with resin.

[@evilqueen6402]

@@BlackMagicCraftOfficial then change to a deeper casting resin. Cursed is maybe a little dramatic lol. Materials matter as much as skill when you're dealing with what is basically chemistry. Piece still looks cool like a druid doing some kind of water magic or something.

[@demetrinight5924]

I love this diorama. It gives me a nice druid or forest god vibe.

[@darkmattercrafts2139]

Great job, yeah bubbles can be annoying but this piece is fire.

[@Thertra70]

I really like how they came out. What an awesome piece

[@timboer8987]

You made a huge step in your painting game lately, awesome to see! Awesome build, keep it up!

[@hitchellmopkins803]

The vibes fit the goal, well done!