Acrylic pour painting is a consuming form of fluid art that’s beloved by both novices and experienced artists for its unique style and the mesmerizing, one-of-a-kind, results it produces. This technique involves mixing acrylic paint with a pouring medium to achieve a consistency that allows the paint to flow freely over a canvas, creating abstract and colorful artwork. The best part is that the list of necessary supplies for acrylic pour painting is small and fairly cheap!
Here at Homebody Hall, we’re obsessed with acrylic pour painting, and we’ve developed hundreds of tutorials for both canvas and non-canvas art. Today, we thought we’d go back to the basics though, as there are several newbies on the platform. Let’s get started!
Essential Supplies for Acrylic Pour Painting
While some of us have art rooms stocked to the brim with products, you really don’t need that much to get a good start on pour painting. You just need the right products!
From selecting the perfect colors to choosing the right additives, every element plays a pivotal role in the outcome of your artwork. Here are the essential supplies for acrylic pour painting that you’ll need to start your art journey.
1. The Perfect Acrylic Paint
The cornerstone of any acrylic pour painting project is, unsurprisingly, the acrylic paint. For beginners, a basic palette of primary colors (red, blue, and yellow), along with black and white, is a great start. This allows for color mixing practice and a wide range of hues without investing in a vast array of colors.
If on a budget, I recommend using basic liquid acrylics (the little ones in the bottles at Hobby Lobby from DecoArt or FolkArt). These are already thin, and they don’t take much mixing to be useful in flow painting. They are cheap, come in tons of colors, and are easy to attain.
HOWEVER! These paints are generally low viscosity. That means they flow easily, but it also means if they are thinned too much, they lose their integrity and color intensity. This can result in cracks and low luster in your art.
If you want to experiment more with mixing, I would recommend grabbing a few tubes of a higher-viscosity acrylic paint like Liquitex. They offer a fluid version, a basic acrylic, and a heavy body version. Just get the basic acrylic to start with. These heavier-bodied paints allow you to experiment with mediums more without losing color intensity.
They generally come in a plastic or metal tube, have a thicker consistency, and are more pricey, but they last way longer. A little dab goes a long way!
2. The Perfect Pouring Medium
The pouring medium is an essential ingredient that transforms regular acrylic paint into swirling magic without diluting its color or integrity. It serves several key purposes: it improves the flow and consistency of the paint, extends the drying time so you can work on the project longer, and helps prevent cracking and crazing once the paint dries.
Some popular pouring mediums include Liquitex Pouring Medium and Floetrol. Liquitex is available online or at most craft stores. Floetrol is available at your local big box hardware store like Home Depot.
Pro Tip: Elmer’s Glue-All can be used as a cost-effective alternative.
Having the right products means nothing if you don’t know how to use them! Nobody is perfect though, and you’ll have to experiment with different ratios to get the ideal medium mixture for your pouring technique and style. Your environment, the time of year, your painting substrate, and the paint you use will affect your ratios.
For expert advice on getting that perfect flow, check out “How to Thin Acrylic Paint for Acrylic Pouring!”
You may also find our Acrylic Pouring Color Theory Mega Printable Pack. It outlines the basics of color theory, helps you choose the perfect shades, and teaches the core components of paint mixing. If you’re a beginner, this pack will put you ahead of the game!
3. The Perfect Canvas or Substrate
A canvas is the stage where your acrylic pour masterpiece will unfold. Canvases come in various sizes and shapes, with stretched canvas being the most popular choice for pour painting because it’s taut and smooth, providing an even surface for the paint to flow.
As a beginner, opt for pre-primed canvases which save time on preparation. These are easily purchased in bulk online or at your local craft store. The canvas boards are cheap and great for practicing. You can sometimes find these at the Dollar Store.
It’s also advisable to consider the weight of the canvas when doing large-scale pours, as the paint can significantly add to the overall weight. Lightweight canvasses might warp, so go for a heavier-duty canvas for larger pieces.
Canvas is only one option for pour paintings. You can also do acrylic paint pouring on glass, wood, or metal. Take a look at the Non-Canvas section of our blog to find our favorite techniques and unique ideas!
4. Plastic Cups
Plastic cups are indispensable in acrylic pour painting, serving multiple purposes. They can be used to mix paint and pouring medium, hold individual colors before combining them for the traditional pour, or even be used to flip colors onto the canvas for the flip cup technique.
Pro Tip: Clear cups are a bonus as they allow you to see the colors as they blend inside the cup, giving you better control over the outcome. If you don’t mind doing dishes, you can swap out the environmentally damaging plastic for glass jars! I also like to use clear plastic shot glasses to add detailed sections to the paintings.
5. Stir Sticks
Stir sticks of some kind are a must for mixing your paint and medium thoroughly. Any lumps or unmixed parts can ruin the smooth flow of your pouring paint, so thorough mixing is critical. You can use wooden craft sticks, which are inexpensive and disposable, meaning quick cleanup and no worries about paint curing and ruining your tools.
For those who prefer to reduce waste, glass stir sticks or a palette knife are an excellent choice as they can be wiped clean and reused for future projects. Make sure you have plenty of stir sticks on hand for all your mixing needs, as you will likely be working with multiple colors.
Pro Tip: You can also use your stir stick to strategically drop color on your painting to achieve a professional look or fix spots where the paint did not flow evenly! Toothpicks work well for dragging paint into distinct patterns as well.
6. Plastic Sheeting
The one downfall of acrylic pour painting is that it’s incredibly messy! Due to the nature of the technique, you will have to make a plan for the excess paint. I like to roll out a strip of Biquene, but craft paper works okay as well. Just make sure whatever you use is thick enough and paint-resistant so your paint doesn’t leak through onto your floor.
Advanced Supplies for Acrylic Pour Painting
For your first few pours, these basic paint-pouring supplies are really all you need! As you dive deeper into the world of acrylic pour painting, you’ll discover that upgrading your toolkit can significantly enhance your creative projects. Beyond the basic paints and mediums, some advanced tools can provide more control and add interesting effects to your artwork.
7. Butane Torch
A butane torch is an exciting tool to have on hand during your acrylic pour painting endeavors. When lightly passed over the surface of the painting, the flame helps pop any air bubbles that are trapped in the paint, which creates a smoother finish.
More intriguingly, the heat from the torch can encourage the formation of cells, which are small, circular areas where different colors peek through each other. Using a torch can elevate your artwork by adding depth and character to your paint pours. It’s vital, however, to use this tool cautiously and ensure that it is only applied briefly, at a safe distance, to prevent damaging the paint or canvas.
8. Silicone Oil
Silicone oil is another fabulous tool that can be used to create cells. By adding a few drops of silicone oil to your pouring medium mixture before pouring, you can manipulate the density and interaction of colors. The oil repels the paint, which prompts the formation of cells naturally as the paint settles and cures.
Different types of silicone oil can produce varying sizes and effects of cells, allowing for experimentation and customization in your artwork. Silicone oil is particularly fun to experiment with because no two pours will look exactly the same, giving each piece of art a unique and dynamic quality.
9. A Hairdryer or Series of Straws
One popular acrylic pour painting technique is the Dutch Pour. It involves moving paint around the substrate with air. This can be achieved with a standard hairdryer with a concentrator accessory or with a series of different sizes of drinking straws (using your own breath). Hold the air dispenser at a 45-degree angle and use low settings or gentle exhales to slowly manipulate the paint.
10. The Ideal Clear Coat
In my personal opinion, no piece of art is complete with a proper clear coat. Adding this extra step does a few things. It helps protect your work from dirt and UV damage. It makes your artwork wipeable, and it creates a depth and bouncing of light that adds a professional touch to your creation.
From varnish to resin, polyurethane to Mod Podge, we discuss the pros and cons of each option in our “Clear Coat for Acrylic Painting: Find the Perfect Seal for Your Pour.”
Pro Tips for Beginners in Acrylic Pour Painting
Starting your journey in acrylic pour painting can be as thrilling as it is messy. Here are some expert tips to help you navigate through the adventure of painting and ensure that your experience is as enjoyable and successful as possible.
1. Prepping Your Workspace
Before you even open your paint bottles, the key to a stress-free pour painting experience is in thoroughly prepping your workspace. Start by covering your work surface with a plastic sheet or a disposable tablecloth. Acrylic paints can get everywhere during pouring, and protection is your best friend.
Have paper towels or rags at hand for quick clean-up of spills and drips. It’s also a great idea to wear old clothes or an apron.
Elevate your canvas on small cups or stands to allow the paint to flow freely off the edges and prevent the back from sticking to the surface below.
Choose a space that has plenty of moving room, where you can freely tilt and walk around the canvas. You also need a space with proper ventilation!
Taking a little time to set up efficiently can save a lot of hassle and make your painting process much smoother.
2. Experimenting with Color Combinations
When it comes to pour painting, one of the most exciting aspects is playing with different color combinations. However, it can be intimidating at first. To start, choose a color scheme based on your preferences or the mood you want to portray. Our Effortless Readymade Color Pallette can help!
You might opt for analogous colors, which are next to each other on the color wheel, for a harmonious look, or complementary colors, which are opposite each other, for a bold, vibrant appearance. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Mixing and matching unexpected color combinations can lead to stunning results.
Initially, limit the palette to a few colors to avoid muddying the piece. As you get more comfortable, you can start adding more hues and see how they interact. Remember, the beauty of acrylic pour painting lies in its unpredictability and the unique outcomes each pour can produce.
3. Exploring Paint Pouring Techniques
From the dirty pour, to the Dutch pour, from the flip method to the dip technique, there are dozens of ways to get paint on your canvas! There’s no right or wrong way either. Each artist has their preferred methods and their own twists to make these methods work for them.
You will find your own way too, but you can get a head start by familiarizing yourself with the long list of acrylic pouring techniques out there.
4. Display Your Work
Once you’ve completed your art and allowed the clear coat to completely dry, I recommend displaying it immediately! Don’t think too much about it. If you do, you’ll get self-conscious, pick out all the flaws, and end up shoving it in a corner of the garage to rot.
Instead, take photos. Post them on social media if that’s your thing. Give the painting as a gift, donate it to a charity auction, or display it in your own home. Find a place for it where it can be admired!
As you advance in your art, your first pieces will become cringeworthy to you. It happens to us all, but remember this is a learning process that you’ll continue through your entire life, and you should be proud of what you create!
Final Thoughts on Supplies for Acrylic Pour Painting
Acrylic pour painting is supposed to be a fun and accessible art form that allows for creativity! Whether you’re just starting out or are looking to refine your technique, having the right supplies can make all the difference, but you don’t need to spend a fortune. In a pinch, you need some paint, a cheap medium, and a substrate. You can work up from there. Just make the jump and get started!
