Artist Spotlight Collaboration: “Shadows and Spells: A Halloween Art Journey” Inspired Paint Pour Art
It’s been exciting to learn about the amazing artists in our community through The Artist Spotlight Program, and we’re thrilled to bring you more inspiration by celebrating individuals in the Paint Pour Academy (PPA) community. This is our monthly Artist Spotlight Collaboration, where we challenge the artists with an Inspired theme and let them pour! Our goal is to inspire you and your art through these themed challenges and share the wealth of knowledge, skill, and artist stylings of our spotlight artists.
We’re keeping it simple and allowing the participating artists full creative control with a theme-featured challenge. Here’s what we asked them to do:
Create a new paint pour art piece inspired by the theme “Shadows and Spells: A Halloween Art Journey” using any technique you prefer and colors inspired by the season. While there are no color requirements, here are some color suggestions that can help complement this theme:
- • Black: Represents shadows and the mysterious.
- • Deep Purple: Symbolizes magic and the supernatural.
- • Midnight Blue: Adds a mystical, night-sky feel.
- • Silver: Suggests moonlight and spells.
- • Emerald Green: A nod to enchantment and potions.
- • Burnt Orange: Still keeps the autumnal feel of Halloween.
And here’s what they came up with:
Project Specifications:
- YouTube Video: ( COMING SOON!)
- Colors/brands of paint.
Emerald Green, Fluorescent yellow, Lime green, Silver, Black base - Paint Pouring technique(s) used. The fluid art blowout technique
- Canvas (or substrate) size. 12″x10”
About the Project
What inspired the techniques used in your piece?
The colour blend ethereally with the cool air and layering in a blowout technique giving a gassy flame like appeal.
What challenges did you have completing this piece?
Trying out a colour palette that was new to me but that felt right to create a magical green flame
Do you have a favorite part or element in this artwork?
Where the lime green and fluorescent yellow blend with the emerald green giving that spooky feel.
Are there any specific tools or materials that you found particularly helpful in this project?
The hairdryer
Do you have any tips to share with the readers?
Follow your instincts, watch how the hairdryer does its magic. Blow down and put on a cool low setting to keep a little control o we the movement of devising and experiment with the outcomes which occur depending on layering of colours.
About the Artist
Rhonda Willman | Blind Awakening Art
Hometown: Brighton, Ill
YouTube | Facebook | Instagram
Project Specifications:
- YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/AiJ18lYGYH0?si=y6Nkfy4Xddonaf0A
- Colors/brands of paint.
All are Bloom Recipes
Ring Pour Base – Amsterdam paints: Oxide Black, Titanium White, Indigo (Expert series), Custom colors: Payne’s Gray Navy Blue
Flow Extender Glidden Fundamentals Semi-Gloss Black
Colors – Arteza paints Lime Green, Silvery/Purple/Blue/Sparkly “Trash Paint”, Violet
Custom Plum Crazy
PrizmPour Colourarte – Violet Rose
Pigments – Eye Candy’s Golden Pavillion, Okinawa Sunset
Cell Activator 3:1 Australian Floetrol to Amsterdam Titanium White - Paint Pouring technique(s) used. Ring Pour and Swipe techniques
- Canvas (or substrate) size. 12″x16″ gallery wrapped canvas
About the Project
What inspired the techniques used in your piece?
The ring pour swipe is one of my favorite techniques. I really love the dual effect it gives.
What challenges did you have completing this piece?
None. It was blast.
Do you have a favorite part or element in this artwork?
I love the whole thing. I love how it turned out, the cells, the colors, and the lacing.
Are there any specific tools or materials that you found particularly helpful in this project?
My spinner table and my palette knife.
Do you have any tips to share with the readers?
I find that using my bloom paints for my ring pours works best because of the thickness of the paints helps to maintain the rings.
Project Specifications:
- Colors/brands of paint.
Deco Art Acrylics / Various Micas & TLP’s. - Paint Pouring technique(s) used. My Pioneered Technique S.D.G. Hand Layered Micas On Glass combined with Acrylic On Glass.
- Canvas (or substrate) size. Glass
About the Project
What inspired the techniques used in your piece?
When I first started pouring on Glass, regular Acrylic paint just wasn’t giving me the effects I was looking for. It took me a long time to successfully get Micas & Pigments On Glass & still keeping the colors separated ! Applying them on Glass is very different than applying them on canvas.
What challenges did you have completing this piece?
As with all Glass pieces especially vertical ones – the paint just wants to slide & pull your patterns right off. That is always the challenge with Glass !
Do you have a favorite part or element in this artwork?
I love the foot & the lid ! It is a signature of mine to do them differently than the rest of the piece. Adds yet another element of challenge & I welcome that.
Are there any specific tools or materials that you found particularly helpful in this project?
Combinations of special paints, viscosities, metallics, and of course advanced applications – all of those elements play a major part in the novelty of my pieces.
Do you have any tips to share with the readers?
First & foremost – thicken up those paints when working with Glass. It does take a great deal of practice to get past “the drippies” ! Many people show their vases wet & chances are they most likely won’t look like that by the time they dry. Experiment with different types of paints & your consistencies.
Project Specifications:
- YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/E_vVxJ3wiTQ
- Colors/brands of paint.
Amsterdam Paints: Oxide black, custom yellow with glow-in-the-dark paint added
DecoArt Metallic Paints: Emerald, Teal Green, Deep Sapphire, Berry, Amethyst - Paint Pouring technique(s) used. Stencil/brush work
- Canvas (or substrate) size. 15′ wooden round
About the Project
What inspired the techniques used in your piece?
Heading into fall and the spooky season inspired me. Plus, the fact I just bought these new Halloween stencils, I wanted to have fun with it and do something different.
What challenges did you have completing this piece?
I wanted my paints to glow in the dark, and the main focal point was the huge moon glowing in the background. However, my yellow paint was too transparent. It required a second coat, which made me leave the first coat to dry. That messed up my crisp clean lines I wanted from my stencil work. Luckily, My daughter found some acrylic pens I forgot I had. They worked great for cleaning up the lines.
Do you have a favorite part or element in this artwork?
I love the glow-in-the-dark spooky effect. It adds a little creepiness to the project. bwahahahaaaa!
Are there any specific tools or materials that you found particularly helpful in this project?
My new stencil, and my palette knife, but those acrylic paint pens were the big winners of the day.
Do you have any tips to share with the readers?
Don’t be afraid to try new things. And when you do, give yourself the grace to learn that technique. Some things may take longer to master. Or maybe it’s not even for you. But at least you tried. You’ll never win if you don’t try.
Project Specifications:
- YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/HsKWC0FB8yg?si=PzNHQeU-W_xQBAWa
- Colors/brands of paint.
Sapphire TLP, Custom dark forest green mix, Silver deco art metallics, Dioxazine violet by TriArt, Iridescent graphite liquid - Paint Pouring technique(s) used. The technique I used was a bloom, with swipes in the corners to resemble webs.
- Canvas (or substrate) size. Canvas
About the Project
What inspired the techniques used in your piece?
My go to favorite technique is a bloom, so I’m naturally drawn to that technique. I’m not typically fond of Halloween so I had to make it somewhat nons scary and cute. Well as cute as little spiders can be.
What challenges did you have completing this piece?
The only challenge that I had was getting the little black spiders to show up on a black canvas. So I added color to the spiders, bodies and white lines with a Posca marker on their legs.
Do you have a favorite part or element in this artwork?
I actually have two favorite elements in this painting. The first is the silver that’s in it. I felt like it brought it to life. Secondly the little spiders I just feel they added a cool and fun element to this painting. Oh wait, I have a third the music I found was spot on and so fun.
Are there any specific tools or materials that you found particularly helpful in this project?
My handy-dandy, trusty pallet, knife!
Do you have any tips to share with the readers?
Never give up… what you do today, sets you up for tomorrow. So keep going!
Project Specifications:
- YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/B6vqcSFylMM?si=dsZSd3zxKoLq61C7
- Colors/brands of paint.
Decoart neon blue
Decoart neon yellow
Decoart neon green
Amsterdam lamp black
Folk art neon orange
Folk art neon red - Paint Pouring technique(s) used. Multiple
Glued skull to a painted canvas
Hand-painted canvas
Poured each color separately
Then, I hand-painted the little things like eyes, etc. - Canvas (or substrate) size. 11×14 Canvas
About the Project
What inspired the techniques used in your piece?
I love everything about Halloween, and when asked to join this collaboration, I couldn’t say no.
What challenges did you have completing this piece?
Being sick and going to numerous doctor’s visits. Other than that, the only challenge I had was gluing the skull to the canvas,
Do you have a favorite part or element in this artwork?
With those neon colors over normal plain skulls, I enjoyed splattering the paints all over for the last touch.
Are there any specific tools or materials that you found particularly helpful in this project?
Angled paintbrushes/sponges
The skull itself was extremely helpful, but I’m not sure what else I’d have done.
Do you have any tips to share with the readers?
Never wait until the last minute. No matter what, just have fun and enjoyment, even through trial and error.
Project Specifications:
- YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/7kekaQGqpK0?si=boIENVRPzxyA6DDJ (video will be released October 6, 2024)
- Colors/brands of paint. I used Pebeo, Arteza and Amsterdam acrylic paints with a cloud mix of DecoArt Satin Enamel and Owatrol. All colours below were mixed with Owatrol and Liquitex pouring medium and water for consistency.
Pebeo Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue
Amsterdam Napthol Red
Royal Langnickel Primary Magenta
Amsterdam Lamp Black
Amsterdam Permanent Blue Violet
DecoArt Extreme Sheen 24kt Gold
Amsterdam Vermillion - Paint Pouring technique(s) used. Straight Cloud Pour Technique that was then embellished by hand using GrabieArt acrylic paint pens.
- Canvas (or substrate) size. 20x20cm Canvas
About the Project
What inspired the techniques used in your piece?
I poured this piece whilst practicing the cloud pour technique. It went darker than I’d hoped but I wanted to do something for Halloween so it was a perfect backdrop for a spooky scene! Erika’s challenge helped me elevate this pour with added value and now I LOVE it! I hope you do too!
What challenges did you have completing this piece?
At first, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to embellish this pour with a trio of witches! I tried to visualise what that would look like! The pour is interesting and dark and broody, I thought! So I settled on embellishing with a haunted house perched in the movement and cells of the pour. I like it better now! Sometimes it takes me a while to picture the idea!
Do you have a favorite part or element in this artwork?
I think all of it ties together now! The pour alone was somewhat lacking something and I didn’t know what for a long time. Now I feel it’s complete! I love the whole scene playing out!
Are there any specific tools or materials that you found particularly helpful in this project?
Yes! GrabieArt Acrylic markers are amazing. I love that you can paint over previous colours you lay down and there’s excellent coverage. I do have a discount code if you’re interested too. Silicone cups are also very useful for ease if cleanup after pouring!
Do you have any tips to share with the readers?
Try not to over tilt! I did and muddied my Colours for this pour a little but it worked out fine with the embellishment after! If you are practicing learning on the job is helpful and learning from mistakes! Keep a record. I should have spun this pour out more. But we live and learn!
About the Artist
Erika Tenney | Fluid Art with Erika
Hometown: Tucson, AZ
YouTube | Facebook | Instagram
Project Specifications:
- YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/fFtP2PjcJOg?si=qayVfzViZ6ts1465
- Colors/brands of paint. Black Artist Loft, CraftSmart Orange Mix (Pumpkin with Neon Orange), Purple CraftSmart with Purple Color Flash from Folk Art, CraftSmart Grass Green, Ultramarine Blue LiquiTex, Bronze Metallic Folk Art
- Paint Pouring technique(s) used. Swipe with a painted Silhouette
- Canvas (or substrate) size. 10″x20″ Canvas
About the Project
What inspired the techniques used in your piece?
I wanted something a little different for a Halloween-themed piece. This technique has been on my “Must-Try” list for a while, but I always keep pushing it down to the bottom. I thought now would be a great time to try it!
What challenges did you have completing this piece?
Trying to get the silhouette to stay in the shape of a witch while using fluid acrylics.
Do you have a favorite part or element in this artwork?
I LOVE everything about this piece! It was super fun, and it is a cool technique to play with.
Are there any specific tools or materials that you found particularly helpful in this project?
My palette knife! It was so nice to use this for some detail swiping.
Do you have any tips to share with the readers?
Don’t be afraid to try something new. Think the process through and just do it!
About the Artist
April Carr / Joyful Pouring by April
Hometown: Easton, MA
Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
Project Specifications:
- YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/nagnBs_6uV4?si=Ly_MaWPp0LfJUhUL
- Colors/brands of paint. Liquitex Silver
Deco art 24k gold
Liquitex Paynes Grey
Liquitex dioxazine purple
Liquitex ivory black
Essentials primary cyan
Folkart color shift blue violet flash
Folkart color shift emerald flash - Paint Pouring technique(s) used. Blow dryer pour/dutch pour, Tree swipe
- Canvas (or substrate) size. 12×12 stretched canvas
About the Project
What inspired the techniques used in your piece?
I was going for an aurora borealis look for the sky and thought this kind of blow out would be close.
The full moon was created using a round cookie cutter as a barrier as I blew out the sky.
Then I needed a spooky tree, a tree swipe was perfect.
You can’t have a full moon without a black cat, so I decided to create a hill for the tree and the cat to sit on. He looked lonely so I gave him a pumpkin friend.
What challenges did you have completing this piece?
This piece involved so many techniques and was done in multiple stages. I think the biggest challenge was that I didn’t realize how many days it would take for it to come together. I have never combined more than one technique, and this one has about four different ones.
Do you have a favorite part or element in this artwork?
I love the way the sky dried with all the large cells that developed, and the full moon just looks like it is glowing. I’m really happy with this contrast.
Are there any specific tools or materials that you found particularly helpful in this project?
My Poska pens came in clutch when adding the cat and pumpkin but as always, my blow dryer was absolutely needed.
Do you have any tips to share with the readers?
If you have a vision in mind, don’t be disappointed if it needs to change as you work. This painting went through a few different revisions and fixes of mistakes before I was finished, but it is so worth taking the risk.
Join Our Artist Spotlight Program!
Are you a talented Fluid Artist looking to share your passion and creativity with the world? We’d love to feature you in our Artist Spotlight program! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out on your artistic journey, we want to showcase your unique style and story. If you’re interested in being featured, simply reach out to us through our contact page. Let’s shine a spotlight on your artistry together!
