What is Acrylic Pouring?
“Breakthrough Sunrise”
Acrylic Pour on Stretched Canvas.
Leah Wells
Acrylic pouring is a fantastic fluid painting technique used to create art. It is accomplished by pouring acrylic high pigmented paints mixed with conditioners designed to increase the flow and lower the paint viscosity of heavy body acrylics. I premix this fluid medium in batches and pour them directly onto a flat canvas.
Cups of fluid paint
Adding silicon oils to acrylic paints allows hundreds of abstract bubbles to develop and become “cells”. The oils in the paints are hydrophobic, and just like how water and oil separate, the colours created bubbles and cells organically. They float due to different buoyancy to create unique patterns and abstract designs. I love how this method of painting creates granular interest when looking at the painting closely.
Close up look at laced cells developing on the canvas
I’ve combined experience with traditional methods of painting paired with acrylic pouring and discovered my own unique way to create original art using this medium.
I pour my paints slowly and carefully while using various techniques and adaptations with different values of control. My favorite method of pouring is using spoons to SCOOP the fluid acrylics and the edge of palette knife for the final details.
My works are poured in 2-12+ layers, depending on the complexity and size of the canvas. Drying time between layers usually take up to three days; layers allow me to build up my pours and create finished pieces with intricate “puddles” of pours in top of one another.
Emerald Isle in the making
