Hi there! I saw the post with your WIP dice, and they are GORGEOUS. If this is a personal secret or anything feel free to not answer, but I just started making dice and was really curious how you did the super thin lines in the first photo. It makes the die look like stone and it's really cool.
hello! none of my techniques or learnings in dice making are a well kept secret- I've had so many people help me and teach me many different things in this hobby, and I love to share that knowledge I've acquired!
the technique is called a dirty pour! it can be a bit finicky, and wildly unpredictable in getting a specific look, but each die is unique and beautiful.
things you'll need for a dirty pour:
resin
alcohol inks/resin colorant/mica powders, pretty much whatever colouring agent you want! though, I will admit, dirty pouring with alcohol inks or resin colorant works a lot easier than dirty pouring with powder pigments. (I currently have some in the pressure pot and I worry for them lol)
small pouring cups (if you don't have any, I used those little 3oz paper Dixie cups and cut them in half so they weren't as tall!)
tooth picks
the way you do this is first make sure your resin is runny! mine is usually thick, so I put my part a and part b bottles into a hot water bucket to get it nice and runny before mixing. Once you have your resin mixed, now comes the dirty pouring!
you can leave your base resin clear, or add a color, its up to you! I like dirty pouring over clear, cause it offers a really cool effect where you can see through the dice into little windows and catch little wisps inside. I love that part. but pouring over an opaque color, or even a tinted base is super fun too! that's for you to decide what you want to do. :)
pour your mixed resin into one of those small cups, about enough for 1 die. next, take your choice of ink colours, and put 1 drop of each on top of the resin in your little mixing cup. Do Not Mix These In! you don't want to put the drops directly over top of each other either! though this inevitably will happen as the ink will spread out as soon as you drop it in. I usually do 2 to 3 colours depending on the mood for the set.
take your tooth pick, and drag the colors toward the edge of your cup that you would like to pour from, or if you have those little silicone mixing cups, pull them forward to the little spout. this will ensure all the colors you picked will make it into the die.
nows for the messy part!!!
if you are using sprue molds, you most likely won't be able to pour it directly into the sprue hole. but worry not! I too use sprue molds for dirty pours! simply hold open your mold from your cut opening, and pour directly in there while making circular motions! if you want thicker lines and ribboning, pour closer to your mold. if you want thinner lines and ribboning pour from higher up, you'll get a thinner stream of resin going in which will create those nice thin lines. once your molds are filled, let go and close up the sides of your molds using tape! some WILL squish out the sides, thats okay. part of why the method is called a dirty pour in my opinion lol
if you're using cap or squish molds, just pour directly into the opening! the high pour and low pour for thinner lines and ribboning are still the same as it is for sprue molds. :)
I always refresh my small pouring cup with resin and colors after each die, the only time I use the same cup for more than 1 die is if I'm pouring the d4, and thats cause its so small and a fresh cup with new ink is almost always too much color for it.
and thats about it! I hope this makes sense. I might make a how to video soon for dirty pouring, cause I know this post got uhh... a little long.
if you have any questions about anything I mentioned please feel free to ask! I love to help any dice maker I can with the knowledge I've acquired on my own adventures.
and remember to practice safety when making! such as a respirator while working with resin, always wear gloves as resin is a sticky mess and its not good for your skin, and work in a well ventilated area! :)
@with-both-my-hearts
also I'm so sorry if you asked this ages ago, I haven't gotten an ask in ages so I rarely check my inbox 😅
these were all poured for the same set, and all wildly different from each other. every one you make with a dirty pour will be so unique, and so fun!
