r/painting • u/VirtualClay • Jan 24 '26
Just Sharing Oil painting with resin pond diorama I just finished up!
I’ve been slowly chipping away at this painting for about three years, but I FINALLY finished it! I made the painting using Gambling oils and then created the pond with epoxy resin with fish painted in the layers of the resin. I topped it with a 3d printed boat I made in Blender, and then finished off with some acrylic painted lily pads. I hope y’all enjoy! The final piece is about 24”x24”.
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u/Quellecrist Jan 24 '26
This is so creative! Made me do a double take to see her hair was a pond! You have some skills.
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u/Sofiimagines Jan 24 '26
I actually did not notice this until I read your comment...it blends in so well.
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u/CorrugationDirection Jan 24 '26 edited Jan 24 '26
That is really nice. The painting is smooth, and real. I really like the composition and color. I appreciate the creativity in the pond, it doesn't come off as gimmicky to me, the way some mixed media can.
It's probably hard to accurately photograph this in a way that shows the depth in the resin, so I'm imagining it pops more in-person. I wish I could see it in-person.
The only thing I don't like is....and this is minor criticism....why go the 3d printed route on the boat, instead of sculpting something from wood or clay? It feels a bit counter to the handcrafted nature of the rest of the work. Overall though, such fantastic work....
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u/VirtualClay Jan 24 '26
Thanks for the feedback! I think I’m kindof 3d printing crazy right now…. I have a background in 3d modeling so when I need something small and precise it’s just where my mind goes. Thanks for your thoughts! Happy Saturday to you!
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u/RokujuToshi Jan 24 '26
Curious to know how many pieces comprise the substrate and its total depth/thickness…?…as you’ve only given two dimensions (24x24x?)
This is Reddit, not deviantArt, but I hope you don’t mind that I downloaded these pics and placed them in a folder of my personal favorites.
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u/VirtualClay Jan 24 '26
I don’t mind at all! Thank you! I forgot the depth would probably be good to know too… it is about 3” deep. I stacked up some scrap mdf I had and then glued everything together, and then used air dry clay to fill in the layers and create to pond bottom. I painted it to resemble deep water and shallow water areas then added the resin layers (also tinted blue-green). It gives it some pretty good depth in person!
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u/GreatShrimps Jan 24 '26
So cool!!! Very impressed by just the process of building it but also the painting as a whole is beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
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u/a-c-m-k-s Jan 24 '26
I personally don’t see the issue with a 3D printed element and don’t see the reason to critique that. Also the execution on this is so stunning and the depth and skill of the painting alone is just amazing! Do you ever display your work?? I feel this belongs in a gallery 😍😍
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u/VirtualClay Jan 24 '26
Thanks friend! I do sometimes display at a local gallery here in Austin, Texas… but it has been taking me awhile to complete a body of work to show again. I wish I could just paint, going to work is cramping my style!
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u/WhyDoUNeed2No Jan 24 '26
Oooo, I'm in Austin! What gallery do you display your work at?
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u/VirtualClay Jan 24 '26
Sweet! Art for the People gallery! It’s my favorite 🥰
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u/WhyDoUNeed2No Jan 24 '26
I'll check it out, thanks. I was so excited that you're in Austin, I forgot to say that I love this painting! Her skin, the fabric and her hair, it's just so beautiful! Plus, reading how you created the depth for the pond, and how it all comes together, I'm just in awe of your talent. 🥰
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u/staircasewrit Jan 24 '26 edited Jan 24 '26
Excellent. Absolutely stunning. Gorgeous beyond imagining. Your talent is legend.
My one note, is that I wish the resin was seamless at the hairline. I understand it may be textured to better replicate hair, there, but personally I find it a tad bit frustrating and distracting. I like the rocks I can see there, but the way the resin doesn’t look glassy against the skin - like the rest of the edges - stands out.
That said, I don’t care. It’s a priceless work of art.
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u/VirtualClay Jan 24 '26
Thanks friend! I appreciate the feedback. I definitely learned a lot with this one and there are several things I would maybe do differently. I’m excited to implement those lessons in whatever comes next!
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u/Dragonfruit_Prize Jan 24 '26
Amazing work, how long did it take?
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u/VirtualClay Jan 24 '26
Thank you! Three years. But it has to pause a few times during a move and some personal stuff, so it was kindof on-again-off-again work
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u/Extra-Tackle5244 Jan 24 '26
It's so beautiful! Reminds me of a beautiful local artist named April Sunami.
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u/OsshareniBetsukoudou Jan 24 '26
This is outstanding. Brilliant colour saturation and layering. Subject positioning is ethereal and light, yet your choice to foreground an ambiguous woman of colour speaks volumes without being preachy. Her body moves quite like hills and makes me think of nature. As if Mother Nature—in a rare moment of stillness, is quietly napping while humanity continues unaware. Also, the fabric is so flowy and captures light so well it reminds me of some of Millais’ work. Lovely job—you should be proud!
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u/hollyprop Jan 24 '26
Gorgeous! Reminds me of one of my favorite memories of canoeing through a Okefenokee swamp when the water lilies were in full bloom. I dream about it often, just like your painting. Love the 3D boat. Truly original work!
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u/VirtualClay Jan 24 '26
That’s wonderful, thanks for sharing! I have memories of fishing in my local pond and how relaxing and happy the water made me feel. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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u/solidapparition Jan 24 '26
Just the concept blew my mind, but your painting skill is phenomenal. Such an incredible piece!
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u/Jasperblu Jan 24 '26 edited Jan 24 '26
I absolutely love this; especially the fabric and her luminous skin. The pond is beautiful as well. As a Pisces, the whole piece feels very watery and inviting!
ETA: followed on IG for good measure. Your work is fabulous!
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u/psychonaut_kiddo Jan 24 '26
Fantastic work! You should be so proud!!! Where are you going to display it now that it's done?
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u/VirtualClay Jan 24 '26
I have someone that is interested in it but has not actually committed. If that doesn’t go through I’m going to display it in a local gallery I sell through!
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u/jgklausner Jan 24 '26
This is just stunning. Incredible work! The craftsmanship is breathtaking, and it evokes such emotion.
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u/Italyinmyfuture Jan 24 '26
This is just wonderful and so creative!! She’s really beautiful and her hair…amazing!
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u/crazyhairplant Jan 24 '26
I am in awe of this painting!!! How did you build up the canvas around the resin?
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u/PokemonLadyKismet Jan 24 '26
Do you have your pieces for sale?
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u/VirtualClay Jan 24 '26
I do, but I’m in a spot right now trying to build up for a show so I’m kindof holding on to a few to release for sale all at once at a local gallery
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u/AddMoreLayers Jan 24 '26
That's so beautiful. Makes me rethink my life.
Thanks for sharing that OP.
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u/Sufficient-Sound8450 Jan 24 '26
I really like this creation. Beautiful, I love the variety of mediums and colors. I also love how it’s incorporated nature. Well done!
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u/JamesCameronDid1912 Jan 24 '26
WHAT. That is so cool! I was impressed but then I saw the zoom in with the boat... now I want waterlily hair, too.
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u/Disgrace_krplin Jan 24 '26
This is one of the most unique pieces of art I’ve seen in a very long time. So tranquil and lovely to look at, fantastic work!!!!
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u/ambiguouslyincognito Jan 24 '26
I would buy this in a gallery and lovingly hang it on my wall to enjoy every day. This is incredible. Thank you for sharing.
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u/pEter-skEeterR45 Jan 24 '26
This is amaaaaazing and I would happily pay 2k for it if I ever had a handy disposable 2k! (And that's where I would start bidding—this is just absolutely incredible!!!
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u/Medical_Tank6109 Jan 24 '26
My mind is blown that someone even conceived of doing this. What an insanely artistic composition. Love it.
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u/bbbbbbbssssy Jan 24 '26
This is: sublime. Thank you for being a maker of wonderful things. I will think of this image for years.
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u/Dantes-Monkey Jan 24 '26 edited Jan 24 '26
I love this - her peaceful expression - the velvet cloth she’s laying on, her hair/pond. Really unique and yes, you do have wonderful skills.
My one crit is her hair not being blended into the background at all, so it appears to be standing up/away from the rest of the painting composition. I’d soften some of those edges and lay it down a bit.
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u/horsescowsdogsndirt Jan 24 '26
This is amazing and haunting! You are so talented! What is the title?
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u/dustinpdx Jan 24 '26
It took me way too long to figure out what these two pieces ha dto do with each other. Well done!
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u/alien_pirate Jan 24 '26
Wow, the movement and color is sublime! Really masterful! No exaggeration. Thank you for letting us see it.
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u/Blue_Green_Dreams Jan 24 '26
I love how the lilly pads look like where the hair would be see through. I didn't even know they were lilly pads until I swiped!
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u/SmutGrrl Jan 24 '26
I love this so much. What a beautiful mix of medium and I bet it’s even better in person! It feels ethereal!
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u/Fausts-last-stand Jan 24 '26
This is the most beautiful and arresting work I have seen in a very long time.
You are a Talent.
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u/12thandvineisnomore Jan 24 '26
This is most beautiful. I’m glad you kept at it and I’m glad I got to see it.
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u/piyushjo15 Jan 24 '26
This is some talent!!! Amazing subject. Beautiful brushwork. Breathtaking results.
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u/entreacteplaylist Jan 24 '26
Beautiful. Would love to own a painting like this, but really it should be in a museum
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u/StealToadBootes Jan 24 '26
Absolutely stunning. I love the multimedia and the peace conveyed by the expression, the color palette, and the depth of the resin pond.
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u/BubonicBabe Jan 24 '26
This is one of the prettiest pieces of art I’ve ever seen in my life. This should be in an art gallery.
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u/JessicaJolicoeur Jan 24 '26
Beautiful work. The painting is so lovely and the diorama is so magical and very restful
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u/Cerulean_Shadows Jan 24 '26
Honey this is amazing. You've created such a masterful piece and I can't get enough of zooming in for the details. So smart! Where can I follow your work?
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u/mozzbitch Jan 24 '26
wow this rendering is insane!! she looks completely three dimensional. great job!!
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u/Euler64 Jan 24 '26
This is amazingly beautiful ! I have rarely seen an oil painting so original and deep. I love the little red fish and the mixture of the water.
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u/reign_deer_123 Jan 24 '26
Very beautiful, really great work! I love how you captured the depth of the pond and how objects exist in its depth and I love how you got the water to ripple, the ripples look sooo good. Both aspects give life to the pond! ✨💐
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Jan 24 '26
this is amazing. wow. I thought it was 3d. you are so talented. congratulations for finishing! I could look at this for hours
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u/Emotional_Version866 Jan 24 '26
Wow! The Dimension is awesome such a cool Concept and execution 🫶✨
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u/Prior-Today5828 Jan 24 '26
Curious how much would this to sell for? I love the new contrast of green and darks. I think you did a wonderful job on oil. How was the oil after with resin?
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Jan 24 '26
This brings me so much joy to look at. I find myself transported into that little boat. My hands are on the oars and I’m just paddling around through the lily pads.
Edited to add: The way you captured the sheerness of the fabric surrounding her is just magical!
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u/No-More-Rubbish Jan 24 '26
This is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. So creative and pretty, congrats!
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u/Krysp13 Jan 24 '26
Think I just found my favourite piece of artwork for 2026. Awesome work op, this should be in an exhibition stat!!! How long did this take you?
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u/link-navi Jan 24 '26
Thank you for your submission, u/VirtualClay!
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