Top Cell White vs Base Cell White — what’s the difference, and which one should you use in your resin art? If you love creating cells, lacing and movement, choosing the right white can completely change the effect you achieve.
At Colour Passion, we have two whites designed specifically for cell effects: Top Cell White and Base Cell White.
While they may sound similar, they’re designed to work differently.
The easiest way to remember it is:
Base Cell White goes underneath your colours.
Top Cell White goes on top of your colours.
Both can create beautiful cells and lacing — but the way they move through your resin and the effects they produce are quite different.
What is Top Cell White?
Colour Passion Top Cell White is a thicker pigment paste designed to be applied over your resin colours.
Once applied, the white can be blown and manipulated across the colours beneath it, creating beautiful lacing, cells and movement.
It’s particularly suited to techniques where you want the white to remain visually prominent while opening and stretching across your artwork.
Top Cell White is beautiful for:
• Ocean waves and seascapes
• Lacing and cells
• Blown resin techniques
• Abstract resin art
• Fine, delicate white detail
• Creating movement across coloured resin
For ocean-inspired artwork, try applying a thin line of Top Cell White over your ocean colours and gently blowing it out to create wave-like lacing. As the white stretches and thins, beautiful fine lacing can begin to develop.
What is Base Cell White?
Base Cell White works differently from Top Cell White. It has a more fluid consistency and is designed primarily to sit underneath your resin colours.
Your colours are poured over the Base Cell White and can then be manipulated using techniques such as swiping.
As the artwork moves, the white underneath can begin to push through the colours, creating cells and delicate lacing.
Base Cell White is beautiful for:
• Swipe techniques
• Creating cells from underneath your colours
• Soft, delicate lacing
• Abstract resin artwork
• Creating negative space
• Layered colour effects
Because the cell action develops from underneath the colours, Base Cell White creates a different effect from Top Cell White. Experimenting with the amount of white, colour placement and movement can produce a beautiful variety of cells and lacing
Top Cell White vs Base Cell White: Quick Comparison
TOP CELL WHITE
Goes: On top of your colours
Consistency: Thicker
Technique: Apply over your colours, then blow or manipulate
Creates: Defined cells and beautiful lacing
Great for: Ocean waves, seascapes, blown techniques and abstract effects
BASE CELL WHITE
Goes: Underneath your colours
Consistency: More fluid
Technique: Apply underneath, add colours over the top, then swipe or manipulate
Creates: Cells and delicate lacing emerging through the colours
Great for: Swipes, layered effects, negative space and experimentation
Which Cell White Should I Choose?
It really comes down to the effect you want to create.
If you want to apply white over your colours and blow it into beautiful lacing, start with Top Cell White.
If you want your white underneath your colours, with cells developing up through the layers, experiment with Base Cell White.
Both whites create their own style of cells and movement, so there’s no rule saying you have to choose only one.
Resin art is about experimenting with colour, movement and technique. Try both and discover which effects suit your own creative style.
Watch Top Cell White vs Base Cell White in Action
In this Colour Passion tutorial, Kym demonstrates Top Cell White and Base Cell White side by side, showing how each creates a different style of cells and lacing in resin art.
With Base Cell White, the white is placed underneath the colours before the resin is swiped or manipulated, allowing cells and delicate lacing to emerge through the colour.
With Top Cell White, the colours are placed first and the white is applied over the top. It can then be blown and manipulated to create beautiful lacing — including the fine, wave-like effects that work so well in ocean and seascape resin art.
Watching the two techniques side by side is one of the easiest ways to understand just how differently these two whites behave.
Tips for Creating Better Cells and Lacing
Stir your pigment paste before using it
Always give your pigment paste a thorough stir, particularly if it hasn’t been used for a while. This helps ensure everything is properly mixed before adding it to your resin.
Don’t overload your resin with pigment
More pigment doesn’t necessarily mean better colour or better cells. As a general Colour Passion guideline, use no more than 10% pigment paste in your resin mixture.
Temperature and resin viscosity matter
In Kym’s demonstration, she works with Colour Passion Fast Cure Art Resin at approximately 30°C, which she finds gives her a good working consistency. Different resin systems and working conditions can behave differently, so always consider the instructions for the resin you’re using.
Give the resin time
Cell and lacing effects can continue developing as the resin changes viscosity. Kym found that as her resin sat longer, she was able to create beautiful lacing with Top Cell White.
Experiment with your technique
Try changing your airflow, swipe direction, colour placement and the amount of white you use. Leave some negative space or experiment with different colour combinations. Small changes can create completely different effects.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cell Whites
What is the difference between Top Cell White and Base Cell White?
The main difference is how they are used. Base Cell White generally goes underneath your resin colours, while Top Cell White is applied over your colours. This creates different styles of cells and lacing.
Does Top Cell White go on top of resin colours?
Yes. Top Cell White is designed to be applied over your colours and then blown or manipulated across them to encourage lacing and cell effects.
Does Base Cell White go underneath the colours?
Yes. Base Cell White is generally placed underneath your colours. Colours can then be poured over it and swiped or manipulated, allowing the white to emerge through the layers and create cells.
Which Colour Passion white is best for ocean waves?
Top Cell White is a great choice for ocean and seascape resin art. Applying a thin line over your ocean colours and blowing it across them can create beautiful wave-like lacing.
Can I use Base Cell White for swiping?
Yes. Base Cell White works beautifully with swipe techniques. Place it underneath your colours and gently swipe through the layers to encourage cells and lacing.
How much Colour Passion pigment paste should I add to resin?
As a general guideline, use no more than 10% pigment paste in your resin mixture. Always also follow the instructions for the particular resin system you are using.
Ready to Create Your Own Cells and Lacing?
Now that you know the difference between Top Cell White and Base Cell White, it’s time to experiment.
Choose Top Cell White when you want to work over your colours to create beautiful lacing, ocean waves and blown cell effects.
Choose Base Cell White when you want to work underneath your colours and experiment with swipes, layered cells and softer lacing effects.
Or try both — because sometimes the best way to discover your favourite technique is simply to give it a go.
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