Acrylic pouring

Pouring paint is for artists seeking a break from conventional painting methods. This technique can be unpredictable and exciting; each pour a new and unique creation of vibrant colours and loose, marbling patterns. Cast aside your paintbrush and let gravity be the tool for your creativity. It can be a liberating art form where you're free to experiment, whether you’re a seasoned artist or just want to have fun making a mess.

What’s different about acrylic pour painting?

Unlike standard paints that are thick and require water or mediums for thinning, pouring paints are specialised for acrylic pour painting, engineered to be more fluid-like and free-flowing. The result is an artwork where the interplay of colour and form happens spontaneously, the artist guiding the paint across the canvas as it falls.

Acrylic pouring medium

While pre-mixed products offer convenience, applying a pouring medium to your paint allows you to manipulate the viscosity, transparency, and flow to your exact preferences. Made from a polymer-based liquid that binds with the pigments in the paint, it makes the paint flow with more fluidity without softening the vibrant colours.

Using an acrylic pouring medium can be more involved than pre-mixed alternatives and might not be the best way to start for creatives with less experience in acrylic pour painting. But, for those who want more control over their medium, delving deeper into the complexities of mixing your paints allows for an unmatched level of control that pre-mixed solutions typically can't offer.

Art and craft essentials for working with acrylic pouring mediums.

Surfaces: Boards and Canvas are usually the go-to choice for most artists; it doesn’t matter if you're brushing or spilling. But acrylic pour painting is all about testing the norm! Try something less traditional and experiment with glass or ceramic surfaces.

Mixing cups: This is not shaking a cocktail. Acrylic pouring is best done with mixing cups to give you a more precise measurement and smoother blend.

Stirring sticks or palette knives: Whether you’re using a stirring stick or palette knife, the goal is to thoroughly mix your paint for a consistent texture. While both are completely usable, a palette knife does have the added benefit of being useful in many other forms of painting and can be reused.

Protective gear: Minimising the mess is easier than you'd think. Laying down a drop cloth or plastic sheet can catch any drips or splashes, freeing you up to pour however you please. On the other hand, disposable gloves and an apron will keep you and your clothes clean while you're mixing and pouring.