Acrylic Paint Pouring
Acrylic paint pouring is a new painting technique that I have been following for a couple of months. It involves acrylic paints, a pouring medium, silicone, or other products that create a fluid painting with cells.
I’ve watched about a million videos, so I decided to try it myself. I love how acrylic paint pouring has a mind of its own, and you never know what the painting is going to look like.
Its the element of surprise that I love about acrylic paint-pouring technique. The paint flows in directions that its tilted and creates cells that add to the uniqueness of the painting.
Supplies Needed for Acrylic Paint Pouring
The supplies needed for acrylic paint pouring are varied, but I will list the supplies I have used. The technique is unique to the artist as are the supplies used in creating the paintings. There are many different recipes for the acrylic pouring paints, but they all involve some basic ingredients.
Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paint is the first item on the supply list and it comes in several different brands and thicknesses. Almost all acrylic paints can be used for pouring and these are some of the brands I have used. The acrylic paint in the tubes like the brand BASIC, from Amazon or even Wal-Mart, are nice quality paints, but they require a higher ration of the pouring medium than other paints.
Pouring Mediums
The pouring medium will make the paints flow. There are several flow mediums that can be purchased at the big craft stores, such as Liquitex or you can use Elmer’s Glue-All or Flood’s Floetrol.
Pouring mediums bind to your paints and improve the fluid action that is desired in acrylic paint pouring. The mediums dry clear and help keep the paints from cracking when dry.
Floetrol is a product that extends the acrylic paint and improves its flow and leveling. It is made to add to house paints but works great for acrylic paint pouring. Floetrol can be purchased at Home Depot, Lowes, or other hardware/paint stores. It is sold by the quart or by the gallon and is much cheaper than the craft store mediums.
Liquitex is one of the preferred pouring mediums by experienced artists, but it comes with a hefty price. I haven’t used it yet because the big craft stores always seem to be out of it.
Silicone is needed if you want your paint to develop little cells or circles. They look a little like a bubble that has popped and add a very interesting element to your acrylic poured painting. There are several types of silicone you can purchase. Many artists use the Tread Mill oil that can be purchased online from several places. You can also use silicone 3-in-1 oil. I use the 3-in-1 oil becaue it was the easiest for me to find.
For cells, you can also use other products, such as hair and cosmetics products contain a chemical called dimethicone. In the paintings I have done I have used the 3-in-1 and a hair product that had dimethicone in it. The hair serum produced amazing cells in my painting.
Rubbing Alcohol is used to eliminate bubbles. Only a few tiny drops are needed in each color paint cup.
Cups are needed for mixing paints. They can be purchased cheaply at the Dollar Tree, Amazon, or Wal-Mart.
Wooden craft sticks
Wooden craft sticks are used for stirring the paints and can be found everywhere, Wal-Mart, Target, and all crafts stores.
Paint Mixing Recipes
Artists use many different recipes for acrylic paint pouring and they are all correct. Different ratios are required for different techniques. Some recommend 1 to 1 ratio of paint and pouring medium, and others say 2/3 paint 1/3 medium. Still, others say that specific recipes don’t always work because the weight of the paints varies.
In my first attempts, I started with the 1-to-1 ratio and added more paint or more pouring medium as needed, but I’ll admit, I didn’t really measure exactly, I just sort of eyeballed it.
After I stirred the paint and pouring medium I added a few drops of alcohol to my paint.
I added the silicone or hair product to some of the paint colors. This was for the cells I hoped would develop and a few drops are all it takes to make beautiful things happen to your painting!
Enjoy the Freedom
The most important part of acrylic paint pouring is to enjoy the freedom of the paint! Let it flow how it flows and be careful not to overwork your painting. After it is poured and titled, walk away. Let it work its magic. The fluid action of the paint is amazing and its so hard to let it be!
Experiment! Have fun! Create an acrylic poured painting and be prepared to be awed by your results.
Check out my video and see how I did my acrylic paint pouring art!
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