Making a Goldfish Pond Box

Video HERE

I have seen the Youtube videos of a Japanese (I think) artist making bowls of goldfish with layers of resin and paint and I wondered if I could recreate them in the Shed... I think I actually did quite well overall... I will definitely be making more next summer.

It was my intention to make a dragonfly to stick on one of the boxes, but I am yet to make a satisfactory insect - or find a way to make it stick!- so the fourth box remains unfinished.

You will need:
Wooden boxes (fittings removed)*
Stirring Sticks/Popsicle Sticks
Glue
Scissors
Sandpaper
Acrylic paint
Sand
Brushes
Small Pebbles**
Resin
Plastic sheet

*I used this as an opportunity to reinvigorate a number of failed boxes. These were all standard shop-bought boxes, in future I think I will make one to fit.
**I used some leftover pea-gravel, washed and dried then picked through for the better-looking stones.

Method:

1. Cut and glue stirring sticks around the sides of the box, with the top of the stick about 15-20mm (1/2") above the top of the box.* I found it easier to work from near the middle at the back almost all the way around then let the glue dry for a few minutes before cutting and fitting the last few sticks in - it looks better to have 3 sticks slightly thinner than one really thin one. Sand the cut edges as you go.
2. Squidge a splodge of dark coloured paint (brown, blue or green) into the bottom of the pond and spread it around the top of the box and 15-20mm up the sides of the fence before swirling the bulk of the paint to create a raised pattern.**
3. Spoon in some sand and tip the box around to coat all the paint then tip out the excess. Allow to dry COMPLETELY.
4. Paint a wash of acrylic onto the sticks inside and out.
5. Trim back the box and sticks to accommodate hinges. (You can fit them now, but you must put a sheet of plastic between the top and bottom to stop any leaking resin gluing them together - trust me on this!) 
6. Apply a first coat of varnish, once dry lightly rub with sandpaper and tap out any loose sand from the pond base.
7. Wash your pebbles then pick through for any that are nicely rounded or better looking and put them to one side.
8. Mix up a small batch of resin and stir through a couple of handfuls of rough pebbles until well coated. Scoop the pebbles into the pond, arrange them around the edges and up the sides to cover the join. Arrange some of the 'pretty' pebbles on top, pressing into the resin-damp ones so that the tops still look dry.***
9. Quickly mix up another small batch of resin and pour over the base to make an even layer.
10. Wait for 8 hours, or until the resin is set but still tacky. Carefully paint on Layer 1 (see diagram Below)****
11. Mix up another small layer of resin (You will need no more than 1mm thickness) and pour over the top. Wait for 8 hours again then paint the next layer. Continue painting and layering resin until the fish is painted, you can paint 2 layers at a time but try and keep the resin layers even.
12. After the final layer of resin leave everything to set for at least 24 hours - 72 is better.
13. Sand or cut away any leaked resin, then paint the inside and bottom surfaces before varnishing, lining and attaching the fittings.

*I made a template from another stick to make this faster.
**Resist the temptation to make this level and neat. Start with the paint roughly level to the top then press hard with the brush to create a ridge of deep colour with lighter valleys between. The idea with painting up the sides is to seal off any gaps between the sticks - which was only partially successful. You could try a layer of glue, but I find that it can become visible after the resin sets.
***Some of these might end up getting 'wet', but they will eventually create a realistic look of river rock.
****Avoid adding any water to the paint as this slows drying and can affect the resin - this also reduces the risk of beading-up paint on the surface.

I made 4 boxes, but forgot to take any pictures - expecting them to hang around a while for when I was ready - however the 2 other ponds sold at their first opportunity and the 4th is still waiting for its dragonfly so this is the only one I have left... You can see the slight separation of the layers where I added too much resin, but you get the effect. I will definitely be making more in the future, although I will look for some slightly cheaper resin that will mix happily in smaller batches as these don't price-up too well.

The Japanese artist uses 6-8 layers, but for this size I think that 4 is sufficient (and more realistic in terms of size). You cannot erase any mistakes on the resin, so practice on paper until you are confident. Look at pictures online if you're looking for a really accurate image.

Layer 1

• Paint the body as a teardrop, curling round slightly for a more realistic look.
• Use mostly yellow with a touch of white to create the base layer - this needs to be slightly opaque but too much white won't look right overall.
• Paint the tips of the fins and tail, drawing the paint in towards the body - at this stage it doesn't need to touch. Keep the fins light and transparent throughout.

 Layer 2 - ?

• Paint the body just slightly smaller than the first layer with a dark yellow or pale orange.
• Add another layer to the fins, just inside the first, drawing lightly towards the body again.
• You can repeat this layer with gradually darker shades 2-3 more times, or wait a little while for this layer to dry and add another before the next resin coat.
• Add the eyes now, or with Layer 3.

Layer 3

• If you haven't already, draw the fins into the body, this can be a slightly thicker line than before, but not entirely opaque.
• Add a strip of your darkest red or orange along the spine.

Layer 4

• Add a line of highlight/shine along the spine.

You aren't just limited to goldfish here, there are plenty of varieties of fish to choose from - although I suspect a small shark may need more than 4 layers...