Acrylic Paint Pouring Tips for Beginners
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Acrylic Paint Pouring is so much fun, and it can be addictive to create such beautiful patterns and designs. Watching the paint flow over the canvas can help ease an anxious mind and help you relax after a long day. When I first learned about Acrylic Paint Pouring, I couldn’t wait to get started! I grabbed some supplies and started mixing paint and making a mess. I have learned a lot since that day, and I would like to help you learn from my mistakes. Here are some ACRYLIC PAINT POURING TIPS FOR BEGINNERS that I would have liked to know before I got started.
TIP #1 START SMALL
I wanted to share this Acrylic Paint Pouring Tips for Beginners first because it is my first experience with pour painting. When I first started Acrylic Paint Pouring, I used a 12″x16″ canvas. I thought it would be so EASY because the videos I watched made it look easy. My daughter helped me with my first “masterpiece,” and it definitely did not turn out like I thought it would, lol! We did have a ton of fun, and I learned a lot.
The one thing that I wish I did with my first painting is to start on a small surface. Smaller surfaces are easier to learn and master the techniques on. Once you know how each technique works with fluid paint, then it is easier to paint on larger surfaces.
TIP #2 REUSE SUPPLIES
As you start painting more, you will find that Acrylic Paint Pouring can quickly create a lot of waste if you are not careful. Re-using supplies is not only good for your wallet, but it is good for our world. Here are some supplies that can easily be re-used:
- Stir Sticks – Stir sticks can EASILY be reused! Simply wipe off the wet paint and let them dry. The paint will color the wood, but that’s OK! You will have a colored stir stick for your next use.
- Mixing Cups – Instead of using Dixie Cups to mix your paints, consider using Silicone Cups instead. Silicone Cups are super easy to clean, and they are durable.
- Paint Storage – Consider pre-mixing your paints and storing them in Condiment Containers. These containers are AWESOME to use! Just remember to keep the lid on when you are not painting. TIP: Place a marble in the container to help mix the paint when you shake the container.
- Table Covers – Adding a plastic table cover will help reduce waste and help with clean-up. TIP: If you allow the excess acrylic paint to dry on the plastic cover, you can easily peel it off and re-use it in other projects.
- Canvas Props – I have always used Dixie Cups to prop my canvas while I am painting and while it dries. I have recently started to use plastic cups in place of the Dixie cups because I can re-use the plastic cup. Another option is to use jumbo push-pins, but this does take more prep time because it can be hard to push the pin into some canvases.
TIP #3 COVER THE EDGES AND CORNERS FIRST
When I am painting on canvas, I like to cover the edges and corners before I start my technique. I have found that by doing this, I am able to save the integrity of my design and still have full coverage with my design.
TIP: You don’t need a paintbrush to cover the edges and corners. Using your gloved hand is OK!
TIP #4 PLACE PLASTIC UNDER YOUR SURFACE
Adding a plastic table cover will help reduce waste and help with clean-up. TIP: If you allow the excess acrylic paint to dry on the plastic cover, you can easily peel it off and re-use it in other projects.
TIP #5 TAKE NOTES!
This might be one of the most important Acrylic Paint Pouring Tips for Beginners that I am sharing with you. Acrylic Paint Pouring can be a little frustrating to beginners because of all the variables needed for a technique to work well. When I was learning, I wrote notes on little pieces of paper that ended up everywhere, including in the trash. I wish I had a way to organize my notes so I could look back and remember what the heck I did! Introducing my ACRYLIC PAINT POURING PROJECT TRACKER NOTEBOOK!
My Acrylic Paint Pouring Tracker Notebook was created to help all artists organize their thoughts and their notes into a traditional binder. It includes two versions of the cover page (one is printer-friendly), a detail page for you to list your project information, including an area to dab a bit of paint for future reference, notes, and photo page, and a page to list your favorite artists and their general contact information.
TIP #6 CALCULATE HOW MUCH PAINT YOU WILL NEED
Knowing how much paint to use can be a frustration to some artists. While it is best to mix more paint than needed for your project, mixing too much paint can be very time-consuming and sometimes wasteful. When I first started learning about paint mixing, I watched so many videos that said “use about this much” or “just eyeball it.” These learning techniques may work for some, but I had difficulty feeling confident to start learning until I watched more to learn what “just eyeball it” really meant.
I have created two calculators for you to use to help determine how much paint is needed for your project. These calculators are a FREE resource to assist you with your project. And they are simple to use! You will enter the height and width of your square or rectangle surface (or diameter if using a circle surface) and the depth of the side of your surface. The calculators will give you the approximate ounces of paint you will need to complete your project! CLICK HERE TO START USING THE CALCULATORS!
TIP #7 MAKE SURE YOUR SURFACE IS LEVEL
One of the most unpopular steps in Acrylic Paint Pouring Tips for Beginners is to make sure your surface is level. We all want to jump right in and pour painting! Taking the time to make sure your surface is level before you start your project will help you create your beautiful masterpiece and also help you enjoy the process.
TIP #8 USE A COLOR WHEEL
Color can be a tricky thing to learn. If combined improperly, the design you imagined could turn into a muddy mess!
When layering your paints in your pour cup, it is good to think about what color will be created when the paints touch each other. When I first started, I played it safe and always had a white or black layer between the colored paints. Once I started learning how the paints interacted with each other, I purchased a color wheel to help me learn how to create more with my techniques.
TIP #9 STORE FINISHED ART VERTICAL
After I covered every open wall space in my home with my art, I had to start thinking about how actually to store my finished pieces. I quickly learned that the best way to store painted canvas is vertical with parchment paper in between each piece.
A word of caution: DO NOT USE tissue paper or kraft paper in between your finished canvas paintings! The paper will stick to your art which will cause damage.
TIP #10 The Final Acrylic Paint Pouring Tips for Beginners: ENJOY THE PROCESS!
🎨A TIP FROM ME TO YOU ❤: It can be easy to get frustrated when creating art. Trust the process, trust YOURSELF and enjoy your creative journey!🎨
Acrylic Pouring for Beginners PDF
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