Acrylic Pour Painting: A Beginner's Guide

Acrylic pour painting is a fun and easy-to-learn art technique that is perfect for beginners of all ages. Older kids will love this, especially the mess! It is a great way to express your creativity and create beautiful works of art, even if you have no prior experience. I must also say it is great if you have shown no talent in the painting department before (like me). I have loved creating art with this technique.

There are many acrylic pouring techniques and if you want to pursue it further you will need more information than I have here. This guide is aimed at beginners and I will share with you how I got on and all I have learnt.

This article includes 3 videos showing you how to do some of the techniques yourself.

What is Acrylic Pour Painting?

Acrylic pour painting is a technique where fluid acrylic paints are poured onto a canvas or other surface to create mesmerizing patterns as the colors blend. The results can be unpredictable, but that is part of the fun! There is no right or wrong way to do it.

I have tried acrylic pouring on canvas and on rocks and both worked really well (in my opinion).

Supplies you will need:

If you want the easiest start buy an acrylic pouring kit like I did. I bought mine locally but you can find them online. Kits typically include all of the supplies that you need to get started, including fluid acrylic paints, pouring medium, canvas, and cups. Some kits also include other items such as silicone oil and glitter.

There are many different acrylic pour painting kits available, so you can choose one that fits your budget and needs. If you are not sure which kit to choose, read reviews online to get feedback from other artists.

If you want to buy supplies separately or already have some equipment then you will need:

Fluid acrylic paints: There are many different brands of fluid acrylic paints available, so you can choose the ones that you like best. Some popular brands include Liquitex Basics Fluid Acrylics, Golden Artist Colors Fluid Acrylics, and Arteza Acrylic Pouring Paints.
Pouring medium: Pouring medium is a medium that is added to acrylic paint to make it more fluid and easier to pour. It also helps to slow down the drying time of the paint, giving you more time to work with it.
Canvas or other surface: You can pour paint onto any surface that is non-porous and can withstand the weight of the paint. Popular surfaces include canvas, wood, and ceramic.
Other supplies: You may also want to have on hand other supplies such as cups for mixing your paint, gloves, and a drop cloth to protect your work surface. I actually used a large plastic tray to catch my mess!

Tips for Beginners

Here are a few tips for beginners:

Start with a small canvas. This will make it easier to control your paint and learn the different pouring techniques. My greeting card alternatives shown below are a great first project.
Don’t be afraid to experiment. The best way to learn is by trying different things.
Don’t worry about making mistakes. Acrylic pour painting is a very forgiving art form. If you make a mistake, you can simply pour more paint over it.
Have fun! Acrylic pour painting is a great way to relax and express your creativity.

Basic Pouring Techniques

Once you have gathered your supplies, you are ready to start pouring! Here are a few project ideas to get you started:

Kiss pour: This is an easy technique where you put paint in 2 cups and then pour them both out at the same time with the cups facing each other. The paints ‘kiss’ each other!
Dirty pour: This is a simple pour that creates beautiful abstract patterns. To do a dirty pour, simply layer different colors of paint in a cup and then pour it onto your canvas.
Flip cup pour: This pour creates a cell effect that is very popular with acrylic pour painters. To do a flip cup pour, simply layer different colors of paint in a cup and then flip it upside down onto your canvas.
Swipe pour: This pour creates a more controlled effect where you can choose where the colors go. To do a swipe pour, simply pour different colors of paint onto your canvas and then use a palette knife or other tool to swipe the paint around.

These are just a few basic pouring techniques. There are many other techniques that you can learn, and the possibilities are endless.

First Attempt at Acrylic Pour using the Kiss Technique

In this video you will see my very first attempt at acrylic pour painting ever. I was amazed at how well it went and how much I liked the result.

This video is also available on my YouTube channel.

Greeting Card Alternatives – Using Lots of Techniques

My favourite way to use acrylic pour painting is to make greeting card alternatives. I used really inexpensive small canvases and after painting them (and letting them dry) I glued paper onto the back to write on (and cover up any paint that had run over there).

You can use any techniques here so in the video you will see me use different ones.

This video is also available on my YouTube channel.

Acrylic Pouring Painting on Rocks

This is a great use of acrylic paint pouring for gardeners! Try pouring acrylic paint on rocks to make fabulous patterns. I also varnished mine to help them last!

You can also find this video on my YouTube channel.

Mixing your own Pouring Paints

If you want to save money or have more control over the colors that you use, you can mix your own pouring paints. To do this, simply add pouring medium to acrylic paint until it reaches a fluid consistency. You can also add silicone oil to your paint to create cells and other interesting effects.

Here is a basic recipe for mixing your own pouring paints:

1 part acrylic paint
1-2 parts pouring medium
1-2 drops silicone oil (optional)

Mix the ingredients well until the paint is smooth and fluid. You can adjust the amount of pouring medium and silicone oil to achieve the desired consistency and effects.

NOTE: I have not done this as I bought ready mixed pouring paints. If you mix your own let us know in the comments below how you get on.

In Conclusion

Acrylic pour painting is a fun and easy-to-learn art technique that is perfect for beginners of all ages. It is a great way to express your creativity and create beautiful works of art, even if you have no prior experience. So gather your supplies and get started today!

I love how relaxing it is and the result. You will see some of my canvases on my sewing videos as they live on my sewing table.

If you are looking for another easy way to produce your own art take a look at my geometric abstract art tutorial.

Or perhaps you would like to make your own art journal to carry out and about with you.

Whatever art journey you are on enjoy it and share it with your friends and family.