Pouring (Fluid Art)

The world of art offers a variety of fascinating styles and techniques through which we can express our creativity. A relatively new and exciting form of abstract art is Pouring, also known as Fluid Art or Acrylic Pouring.

Let’s take a closer look at this form of painting, the techniques available, the materials you need for Pouring, and the origins of Pouring. Additionally, learn from expert videos how you can create stunning images through Pouring yourself.

What is Pouring?

Pouring is a painting technique where liquid colors are poured onto a canvas to create an abstract composition. The term Pouring is derived from the English verb to pour and describes exactly what happens in this technique.

It essentially involves the controlled pouring or drizzling of colors onto the canvas, resulting in unique color gradients, patterns, and structures.

Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash

Materials and Tools

Before we look at the techniques for creating Pouring artwork, let’s briefly discuss the necessary materials. Pouring requires a few things to get started.

Acrylic Paints

Acrylic paints are an essential component for Pouring. They are ideal for this painting technique because they are liquid and dry quickly.

By adding special Pouring mediums or water, the paints can be thinned to allow for even distribution and movement on the canvas. This liquid consistency allows the colors to interact with each other and create fascinating patterns, shapes, and effects.

In addition to regular acrylic paints, Acrylic Ink can also be used. Acrylic Ink is particularly recommended for metallic colors, as the shine is more intense after drying compared to regular acrylic paints.

Pouring Medium

The medium is the second most important component in Pouring, besides the acrylic paint. Its role is to dilute the acrylic paint without altering its color. The best consistency for Pouring is similar to that of liquid honey.

Canvas

Even absorbent paper like watercolor paper is not suitable for Pouring, so you absolutely need a primed canvas.

The larger the canvas, the more paint you will need for your Pouring artwork. It is therefore particularly worthwhile to practice with a smaller canvas before attempting larger canvases.

Silicone Oil or Silicone Spray

Silicone is used to create cells and cell structures in Pouring artworks. Add a few drops of silicone oil or spray silicone spray into your paint mixture. During pouring, the colors are separated by the silicone, creating the characteristic color cells.

Containers

Depending on the technique you want to use, you will need one or more containers. Plastic cups are often chosen because they are lightweight and allow for good paint dosing.

I would recommend cleaning plastic cups after painting and reusing them for future artworks to avoid generating unnecessary plastic waste.

Other containers with smooth inner walls, such as old jam jars, also work well.

Helpful Tools

In addition to the essential materials, additional tools may be needed depending on the technique. Hairdryers, foils, spatulas, cards, palette knives, heat guns, and more can be used to achieve various effects.

Experiment with different tools in Pouring to discover and enhance your preferences and strengths.

Protective Materials

Pouring can get quite messy, so you should protect yourself and your surroundings from paint. First, cover the surface where you will be working with plastic sheeting. If necessary, also protect the floor with plastic.

You can place the canvas flat on the covered surface, but it is common to set it up on four equally high containers so the paint can flow from the edges and avoid unsightly, deformed edges as it dries.

If available, you can even place the canvas in a large bowl and work in it. To protect your hands and clothing, you can wear gloves and an apron.

If working on a smooth surface (not necessarily in a bowl), you can also lay out parchment paper. The excess paint can dry completely on the parchment paper and form a type of paint crepe, which you can peel off and use for future artworks.

For environmental reasons, try to reuse all protective materials and not discard them after a single use.

Pouring Techniques

Within Pouring, there are a variety of techniques that artists can use to create their own unique artworks. These techniques have gained popularity over time and have become integral parts of the Pouring repertoire.

Swipe

The Swipe technique creates dynamic movements on the canvas. First, the colors are poured onto the canvas one after the other. Whether you pour them next to each other or on top of each other, arrange them in lines or circles is up to you.

Then, use a tool to swipe over the paint. If you want to swipe across the entire canvas in one go, use a large tool like a palette knife or a spatula. Alternatively, you can use a smaller tool to create specific areas.

The Swipe technique is perfect for creating cells and interesting structures in the paint.

Air Swipe (also Dutch Pour)

In the Air Swipe technique, instead of moving the paint across the canvas with a tool as in the Swipe technique, you use a stream of air. You can use a regular hairdryer for this, preferably one with a cool air setting. Cold air prevents the colors from reacting, allowing you to focus on guiding the paint.

For better control over the airflow, a flat nozzle is highly beneficial. However, if you don’t have a flat nozzle, don’t let that stop you from trying out this fantastic technique.

Dirty Pour

The Dirty Pour technique involves mixing multiple colors directly in a single container. Simply pour the colors into the container one after the other, allowing them to mix naturally. When you pour the mixture onto the canvas, you get a fascinating blend of colors.

The Dirty Pour technique is well-suited for creating vibrant, multi-colored artworks.

Flip Cup

In the Flip Cup technique, the colors are also prepared separately and poured into a container. However, instead of pouring directly onto the canvas, the container with the colors is placed upside down on the canvas.

How does it work? You can first place the canvas on top of the container like a lid and then flip both together. Alternatively, you can use a tool to position the container onto the canvas, as demonstrated in the video by Tiktus Color Art.

Afterwards, you slowly lift the cup, and if necessary, move it in circular or other motions to allow the paint to flow out.

Open Cup

The Open Cup technique initially seems very similar to the Flip Cup technique, but the paint is actually applied to the canvas differently. Typically, a light plastic ring or a cut plastic cup is used for this technique, which makes it very lightweight.

The more paint you pour from above into the open cup or ring, the greater the chance that the paint will lift it and flow evenly from the bottom onto the canvas. This is particularly interesting because you start with a thick layer of base color, underneath which the colors from the cup flow.

String Pull

For the String Pull technique, you’ll need a string or chain. You can either pour the paint onto the canvas first and then lay the string or chain into the paint, pulling it to move the color. Alternatively, you can dip the string or chain into paint in a separate container and then lay it on the canvas, pulling it to move the paint.

The results of this technique are more controlled compared to other Pouring techniques and look distinctly different.

What to Do with the Leftover Paint?

Pouring has a slightly wasteful aspect, as a lot of paint unfortunately ends up beside the canvas. Over time, this not only costs money but is also not great for the environment.

Therefore, I recommend transferring the excess paint into a sealable container and using it for future artworks. Although it may no longer be vibrant, colorful paint but rather shades of gray and brown, you can still incorporate these into a natural color palette. Alternatively, you can use the colors to tone down pure colors.

If you use the trick with parchment paper, you can save the dried remnants and either use them as they are or cut them up to integrate into future paintings.

Origins of Pouring

Pouring has its roots in the abstract art movement and is closely related to the art form of Action Painting. Action Painting emerged in the early 1950s and was made famous primarily by the American artist Jackson Pollock. In this artistic technique, paint is sprayed, dripped, or poured onto the canvas with energetic and impulsive movements, creating spontaneous and dynamic compositions. In Action Painting, the paint is essentially what remains from the rhythm and movement of the artist.

Both Pouring and Action Painting share the idea of physically and expressively portraying emotions and energies on the canvas. Both techniques emphasize spontaneity, gestural expression, and the unpredictability of the creative process. Pouring and Action Painting challenge traditional notions of control and perfection, opening up new avenues for expression and creative freedom.

While Action Painting often works with large, energetic gestures and splashes of paint, Pouring focuses more on the flow properties of the colors and uses the interplay of gravity and viscosity to create fascinating effects. Pouring allows artists to control the creative process a bit more while still leaving room for chance and surprises.

The connection between Pouring and Action Painting shows that abstract art is continuously evolving and finding new forms of expression. Both Pouring and Action Painting have had a significant influence on contemporary art and have inspired many artists to find and express their own creative voices.

Main photo by Vitaliy Gavrushchenko on Unsplash