Common Acrylic Paint Pouring Problems (and How To Avoid Them)
6 min readTable of Contents
I’m not likely to lie – I considered paint pouring was a doddle! How difficult can it be to mix some acrylic paint in a cup and then pour it out onto a canvas? Perfectly, I stand corrected! In this write-up I will share with you the many problems and mishaps I made on my first try at paint pouring, and share some ideas I have picked up to support you ideally get a improved outcome the very first time.
Get your ratio’s right!
I produced it quick for myself and applied the Daler Rowney Process 3 Paint Pouring range, no require for floetrol, PVA, h2o, mobile activators – just paint, pouring medium and silicone oil. Most people today have a established of kitchen scales – use them! Really don’t guesstimate the amount of paint to the total of pouring medium. Measuring the genuine amount will consequence in a better pouring regularity.
Consider your time

Stirring your colors too rigorously will create air bubbles so generally get your time to carefully mix them. Mixing your paints as much in advance of time as you can will lessen the range of air bubbles or white spots in your concluded portray. White spots are caused by bubbles in the base coat popping through the paint. Some fluid artists make their paints up the working day ahead of. This enables them to settle to convey any air bubbles to the area.
Silicone Warning!
Go quick with the volume of silicone oil you use. If you are applying the Method 3 Paint Pouring selection then they endorse just one to two drops. Make absolutely sure you wipe the excess off the pipette right before hand to make sure you get the suitable dosage. Utilizing far too considerably silicone can end result in a pitted area on your concluded portray.

You don’t will need to place silicone oil in each individual color you make up possibly. Silicone oil aids the creation of cells by aiding the paint to shift. Cells are designed by distinctive densities of pigments leading to some to rise to the best and many others to sink. For illustration, white is the densest pigment, that is why it’s utilised as both a foundation coat or a major/swipe coat. The white quickly sinks and results in cells and lacing effects. It’s this gravitational motion in the paint that triggers the cells. You can locate acrylic paint density charts on the world wide web. Maintain practising and experimenting with distinct densities of paint and the amount of paint to medium.
Go continual with the blow torch
Making use of a catering blow torch can support activate the silicone oil, creating it to increase to the area and make cells. You should really constantly use keep the torch somewhere around 20cms from the paint floor otherwise you could scorch the paint. Extended use of the blow torch can dry the leading layer in advance of the underneath is dry. This helps make it complicated to shift the paint and can also bring about indentations in the paint surface.
It is possible to use a hair dryer, but you will need just one that has a directional heat instrument attached, otherwise you could close up with paint on your ceiling! Use the hairdryer on the cheapest warmth and electrical power placing and remain 20 cms absent from the area of your portray. The exact applies to craft warmth guns.
Diligently select your surface area

Do not use canvas boards – they warp! A conventional stretched canvas or an ampersand panel perform very well. Other surfaces like ceramic tiles, acrylic panels and glass are also good alternate options.
Use the right sizing cup
It is essential to use the correct sizing cup when you are doing a flip cup pour. If your cup is way too massive the paint will blend in the vacant place when the cup is flipped around. The denser paint, like titanium white, will drop to the base of the cup, mixing, as it falls by the other colours.
Primary your surface

Always use a base coat on your area, this can help your pour to go all more than the surface. It is critical to make sure your base layer is stage if you are doing a pour that isn’t intentionally masking the full of the surface area.
Go regular with the pour
The moment you have poured your paint out onto the floor you are equipped to get started tilting your canvas. If you tilt too quickly or sharply the pour will transfer a large amount more rapidly and could possibly damage an impact you have currently attained, so just take your time and gradually allow the paint travel across the area.
If you havent obtained a palette knife try out utilizing a comb, a silicone pastry brush or an old retailer card to move the paint about.
Pour any excessive paint onto the corners of your canvas. The paint will pool into a puddle form naturally, so the corners are commonly the previous position to get the paint.
Seal your operate
Make guaranteed you seal your concluded piece. A lot of artists favour a gloss finish realized with both a gloss varnish or resin. You should make sure that your painting is absolutely dry prior to sealing it. If you have excess silicone oil on the floor attempt and rub in some cornflour and leave it right away to soak up the oil. Wipe away residue with a heat, soapy rag (not way too wet) and then leave your pour to dry.

I have identified resin specifically prosperous in hiding a multitude of sins while making a higher gloss complete. If you are utilize resin to a stretched canvas you will need to have to make positive it is totally stage, it may help to place a thing good amongst the canvas crossbars and the underside of the canvas floor. Resin is self levelling so if there is a slight dip in the centre of the canvas the resin will settle in the dip and it turns into challenging to get the resin to the edges.
Begin all over again
If it all goes improper, scrape the paint off your canvas although its still moist. Wait around for your canvas to dry, gesso it and get started all over again!
Paint pouring is not as easy at it appears to be
It will take time, experimentation and loads of observe. Retain notes of the ratio’s you have used in profitable paintings, colours that get the job done very well collectively and colors that create cells with each other. Assume the unforeseen and have enjoyable!