How To Create A Fabulous Acrylic Pour Painting

I’m going to let you in on a secret.  I have always wanted to be an artist.  I can’t really draw or paint worth a lick, but I have found a wonderful workaround.  With acrylic pour painting, I can create fabulous abstract canvases!

What Is Acrylic Pour Painting?

Here is a basic definition:

Acrylic pour painting, or acrylic pours, is when the artist, you and me, pours acrylic paint directly onto a canvas, layering each color on top of each other.  Then you tilt the canvas and let the colors run over the surface, creating interesting designs.

What I love about acrylic pours is that you don’t have to be a trained artist to create fabulous and abstract works of art.  Let’s make an acrylic pour!

Watch my video to see how to create a basic acrylic pour painting:

While this is not a complicated project, you will need some room, especially if you plan to use a large canvas or mix a lot of different colors of paint.  

You may want to choose smaller canvases for your first pours.  My smallest canvases at about 2 x 2.  I have some that are about 5 x 7, too.  My largest canvases so far about 12 x 24.  

I’m itching to create a bigger one.  I’m hooked, and I think you will be, too.

I’ve created a step-by-step tutorial PDF.  Find it in my Maker Library – it’s free to join.  Sign up here.

For your convenience, this post contains affiliate links which means I may make a commission, but it won’t cost you any more.  Read my entire disclaimer here.

Materials and Supplies

• Canvas (affiliate link)
• Acrylic paints- these or those (affiliate links)
• Medium like floetrol (affiliate link)
• Silicone (affiliate link)
• Cups, craft sticks (affiliate links)
• Gloss (affiliate link)

Let’s look at what some of these materials are and why you might need them.  You can also check out this glossary.

Canvases for acrylic pour painting

First, you need canvases.  While you can use lots of items as a canvas (e.g., wood, tile), I think the best way to begin is to use regular artist canvases.  I would suggest buying a multipack since you will probably want to make a lot of these acrylic pour paintings once you get started.

Paints for acrylic pour

Next you need acrylic paints.  Nothing fancy or expensive here.  You will need to make sure that you have a lot of white acrylic paint (more on that later), but you will want other colors as well.  Shades of blue and green are great and tend to lend themselves to ‘oceany’ type paintings.

Pouring medium

The acrylic paint will be mixed with a medium, like Floetrol.  Make sure to get this as it will allow your paint to flow easily and it keeps it from drying out.  

I have noticed that you can purchase acrylic paint that is already mixed with a medium for acrylic pours, but I haven’t used it, so I’m not sure how well it works.

Silicone oil

You also need a bit of silicone oil to add to the paint.  A lot of this goes a long way, so purchase a smaller bottle.  The silicone oil causes ‘eyes’ to form in the painting.  The eyes are quite interesting and add another dimension to your art.  I use a silicone treadmill oil for my acrylic pour paintings.

Containers and stirrers

You will also need cups for each color of paint you intend to use.  Use clear cups, if possible, so you can see your paint.  You will also need something to stir the paint so it mixes well with the pouring medium and silicone oil. I use craft sticks for this.

Protectant

The last thing you need is a gloss or resin.  After the painting has dried and cured, you will apply a coat of gloss or resin as a sealant.

Here’s How To Create A Basic Acrylic Pour

Before you begin, prep your painting and drying area.  This technique is named a ‘pour’ so expect to have paint running off the edges of your canvas.  

You may want to protect your work surface and your floor.  I always put down a sheet of plastic on my floor and table top.

For some reason, when I do any painting project, I end up with paint all over me!  So I wear an apron to help save my clothes.  

Step 1:  Prep your canvas for the acrylic pour.

While you do not have to paint your canvas before beginning, most of the acrylic pour artists whose work I have viewed always started their paintings by painting the canvas.  Most used white paint and brushed it all over the canvas.

Step 2:  Mix your paints.

Add the pouring medium (e.g., floetrol) to each of your cups.  Then add your acrylic paint.  I shoot for a 3:2 ratio, but I don’t measure it.  You want the consistency to be runny.  Next add 1-3 drops of silicone oil to the cup.  Mix well.

Step 3:  Layer your paint on the canvas.

Choose a spot that is off center on your canvas and add a generous dollop of white paint to the canvas.  Add your second color right on top of the white paint.  Add a bit more white, then a third color.  

Keep alternating your colors, returning to white each time.  Once you have a ‘stack’ of all your colors, you can either add more layers, or move to another spot on the canvas and create another ‘stack’ of colors.  

Step 4:  Move your paint.

If pouring paint willy-nilly onto your canvas wasn’t fun enough, now we get to run the paint all over the canvas!  Pick up the canvas and begin tilting it in random directions.  Let the paint move all over the canvas.  Watch cells form!

Keep tilting the paint to cover all the areas of the canvas.  Paint will be dripping off the sides.  This is okay!  You want the edges of the canvas to be covered as well.  

Step 5:  Let the drying begin.

You will need to place your canvas in an area where it can sit for 2-3 days (maybe longer) and dry.  Because there is a lot of paint on the canvas, it will take a long time to dry.  It is best not to move the canvas during this drying time.

Step 6:  Add a gloss to finish your acrylic pour.

While this step is optional, I recommend that you add a gloss or resin to your painting to help protect it.  A gloss will also allow the painting to retain the ‘wet’ or shiny look.  

TIP:  Make sure your paint is completely dry BEFORE adding the gloss or resin.

Now you have created a beautiful acrylic pour painting!  I love making acrylic pours!   Let me know if you enjoyed this project in the comments!  

You can find step-by-step instructions with photos in my Maker Library.  All of my projects and patterns can be found there and they are all free!  Join here.  

Want to try a paper flower project?  Check out my How To Make Beautiful Layered Paper Flowers Even If You’ve Never Made Them Before!