The Chandelier Technique: Engineering Liquid Color

Paul developed a proprietary resin process to achieve what was previously considered impossible: crisp, controlled resin gradient work at scale.

The Chandelier Technique – named for the gravity-fed apparatus he engineered – currently produces up to 176 individual resin lines, each hand-mixed to precise color specifications. The result is linear composition with unprecedented clarity, applied to surfboards and large-format canvases up to 98 x 60 inches.

Paul developed a proprietary resin process to achieve what was previously considered impossible: crisp, controlled resin gradient work at scale.

THE APPARATUS

Building the Chandelier

Traditional resin application relies on pouring, brushing, or letting the medium flow organically – methods that produce the fluid, unpredictable aesthetic common to resin art.

To achieve linear precision, Paul engineered an overhead system: a suspended rack holding over 100 individual tubes, each filled with tinted resin and released simultaneously by gravity.

The apparatus is calibrated to his studio in Rockaway Beach. Each tube must release at the same moment, with consistent flow rate and viscosity. A single stuck valve, uneven release, or miscalculated cure time can compromise the entire piece. There is no correcting mid-process. The work is developed in one irreversible pass.

THE PROCESS

Color Mixing and Gradient Control

Creating a smooth gradient requires dozens of individual color mixes, each calibrated to precise pigment ratios. Paul measures each batch by hand to ensure seamless transitions between hues – a process where even minor inconsistencies in saturation become visible in the final work.

Resin cures rapidly once catalyst is added, which means all mixing, loading, and setup must be completed within a narrow time window. The pigment ratios affect not only color but also viscosity and cure rate, requiring adjustments to maintain consistent flow across all tubes. This synthesis of chemistry and craft is what allows the technique to produce sharp boundaries between colors – an effect resin naturally resists.

THE RESULT

From Surfboards to Large Format Art

The Chandelier Technique was developed in the context of surfboard building but has expanded to standalone art pieces. The process applies equally to functional surfboards (which must withstand saltwater, impact, and flexion) and wall-mounted works scaled up to 98 x 60 inches.

Each commission is conceived and executed entirely by Paul, tailored to the client's aesthetic preferences and intended use. The technique produces a glass-like surface with depth and luminosity – comparable to stained glass or a color field painting –while maintaining the structural integrity required for its application.