Paint pouring is a lot of fun to do and very addictive! I’ve been paint pouring since 2017, although I have been doing different art styles for about 30 years, so when I started seeing other people doing paint pours through social media and on YouTube I just had to give it a go.
What is paint pouring? Fluid acrylic paint pouring is a method of painting that uses acrylic paints and pouring mediums that help the paint to flow and create beautiful design of vibrant colors and patterns which can form cells in the composition of your art.
I know it can sometimes be a bit confusing when you first start paint pouring, but I’m going to give you lots of tips and ideas here to help you get started the easy way.
Can Anyone Learn To Paint Pour
I think Paint pouring is the most beginner friendly form of art there is!
Even if you don’t consider yourself an artist, or have never painted before, the chances are you will be able to do paint pours. This is a technique that anyone can do with a little guidance and the right supplies.
Acrylic pouring is such a fun way to get creative, and even if you don’t create a masterpiece, I’m sure you will have lots of fun with it.
Is It Expensive To Do Paint Pours?
It is true that paint pouring can get quite expensive, especially when you’re starting from scratch and feel like you have to buy everything before you can even start pouring.
However, you can certainly do a lot of paint pours for very little money and I’m going to show you how you can get started without breaking the bank.
Please don’t feel like you need to buy every type of paint in every color… Or every pouring medium to mix with your paints… Or even every type of surface to paint pour on.
You can start paint pouring with just a few art supplies, and once you have done a few paintings and you decide you want to continue to do more pours, then gradually add more colors to your kit.
What Is The Cheapest Way To Start Paint Pouring
There are some basic things that you need for paint pouring…
- Paints for pouring
- Pouring medium to mix with the paints to help them flow
- A surface to paint pour on
- Some cups to mix your paints in
- Wooden popsicle sticks to mix your paint with
You really can just buy those few things and do some great pours!
But I will even show you some money saving tips and tricks with those.
Look For Paints & Art Supplies In A Sale
There are always art supplies sales, so I always try to take advantage of them to replenish the paints I’m getting low on, and to add more colors to my stock.
Can I Use Just Paint & Water To Do A Paint Pour?
Yes, you can use just paint and water to do paint pours. Using just water to dilute your acrylic paints can work well in some cases, but thinning with water only, will also change the density of the pigment and the adhesion of the paint on the surface you are painting on.
Having said that, there are some great artists that use only water with their paint, I use just paint and water myself sometimes and it works really well… but I advise caution if you are tempted to go down this route. Only use high quality paints, I mostly use Amsterdam paints when I’m just mixing with water because they are a great quality paint.
I recorded a series of videos for you on YouTube showing you how to create some great paint pours using just paint and water which I hope you will find helpful.
I made this series of videos to help complete beginners learn how to get started with paint pouring. This is the easiest and cheapest way to do paint pours and I recommend these videos as a great way to get you off to the best start in your paint pouring journey.
What Is Pouring Medium?
A Pouring Medium is added to the acrylic paints to make them thinner and able to flow easily, which is essential when doing paint pours. They also help to prevent your painting from cracking as it dries, prevents paint fading, lowers the viscosity of the paint, slows down the drying time which helps prevent shrinkage, gives a nice sheen when dried and helps avoid colors from blending into one muddy mess.
Do I Need To Use Pouring Medium For Paint Pouring?
As I’ve mentioned above, you can certainly do some lovely paint pours without any pouring medium, but if you want to progress onto different techniques, then you may want to use some pouring mediums.
There are many different paint pouring techniques and styles, and for a lot of them you will need some sort of medium to mix with your paints.
Can I Make My Own Pouring Medium?
Yes, for sure you can make your own pouring medium! I actually buy the Gloss Mod Podge by the gallon from Amazon (check here to see if it is stock) because it works out better value. I use it all the time, but it is such good value for money that I don’t need to worry about using so much.
I typically mix 60% Mod Podge to 40% water, then I add that to my paints and if I feel it needs a little more water to get the right consistency, I add just a few drops at a time.
How much pouring medium do I need to add?
The consistency of all of your paints is the most essential element in assuring a successful pour. The ratio of pouring medium to acrylic paint varies, depending on the consistency you’re trying to achieve with your paint.
Using 1/2 Tablespoon of color to 1/2 Cup of pouring medium is a good general guide. Make smaller or larger batches, adjusting the ratio as necessary to achieve your desired result.
Which Pouring Medium Should I Start With?
Just like with the paints, there are many different types and brands of pouring medium you can use… Yes, I know, it all gets very confusing when there are so many different options for everything, but when you are first getting started, I recommend either making your own, (as mentioned above) or buying a ready made pouring medium.
The benefit of buying a ready made pouring medium such as Liquitex, just removes some of the guess work until you feel more confident to mix your own.
Why Use Ready Made Pouring Mediums
Something to bear in mind, is the fact that ready made pouring mediums are made specifically for paint pouring, and because of that, they will be archival, meaning your painting will last for a very long time and won’t spoil by yellowing over time.
When you are first starting out, you will quite possibly do a lot of paintings that are just your ‘test’ pieces, but once you become better at your art, you may want to keep them or give them as gifts, so if that is the case, youu really will want them to be archival.
This Is An Introduction To What Paint Pouring Is
I hope this has been a helpful introduction to what paint pouring actually is, when you’re ready to get started you might find this article useful – How Do You Prepare Acrylic Paint For Pouring – Best Results