Ocean Inspired Paint Pouring: Artist Spotlight Collaboration
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 first Artist Spotlight Collaboration, where we challenge the artists with an Ocean 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 ocean using any technique you prefer and colors that evoke the beauty of the sea and beach.“
And, here’s what they came up with!
Artist Spotlight: Ocean Inspired Paint Pouring
Project Details: Ocean Inspired Paint Pouring
About the Artist
Pattie Lear | Let’s Pour with Pattie
Hometown: Erie, PA
YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Project Specifications:
- YouTube Video of this project: https://youtu.be/sJE9za7lnoc?si=lIn9cuArKj2LaQm_
- Colors/brands of paint. Paints used Amsterdam Paints: Deep Gold, Custom Sand (Sky Blue and Deep Gold), Colbalt Blue, Prussian Blue, Sky Blue, Turquoise Green, Turquoise Blue, Custom Blue (Colbalt Blue and Primary Cyan), Liquitex Paints: Raw Sienna (customized with the custom sand color)
- Paint Pouring technique(s) used. Blow out/with swipes
- Canvas (or substrate) size. 15-inch wood round
About the Project
What inspired the techniques used in your piece?
I watched a few YouTube videos and got some advice and tips from Debra from Art by Debra Rose. She just did one on her live video on Facebook. I didn’t use the recipe she suggested, Kanella Ciraco’s Dutch Pour recipe, which I will use on my next try.
What challenges did you have completing this piece?
My paint was probably too thick, which led to too much paint on the table. I was able to capture a lot of the blues before they hit the table.
Do you have a favorite part or element in this artwork?
I love the “waves” If so, what is it and why? My daughter says it looks like the waves are splashing up in the air at you. She said it almost has a 3D effect. I love that about it.
Are there any specific tools or materials that you found particularly helpful in this project?
My airbrush and cell activator.
Do you have any tips to share with the readers?
My only advice is to just have fun with it. That’s what art is all about
About the Artist
Joyce Farkas Fluid Art
Hometown: New Windsor, Maryland
YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Etsy
Project Specifications:
- YouTube Video of this project: https://youtu.be/PTgUYVQHkSA
- Colors/brands of paint. Metallic Cobalt Blue- Artist Loft, Shimmer – TLP, Rad- TLP, Custom Orange and Gold Mix, Phthalo Blue- Golden, Lemon Sorbet- TLP
- Paint Pouring technique(s) used. Swipe
- Canvas (or substrate) size. 10-inch round canvas
About the Project
What inspired the techniques used in your piece?
This was a happy accident. I was just going for a colorful swipe, and it ended up looking like an ocean and beach late at night, so I named it “Midnight Moon Shoreline.”
What challenges did you have completed this piece?
None, really… Swiping and stretching can be anyone’s guess as to how it will turn out, and this was no exception.
Do you have a favorite part or element in this artwork?
I adore the Cobalt Blue areas that look like waves, and the Orange/Gold color shifts that are throughout the painting.
Are there any specific tools or materials that you found particularly helpful in this project?
My Palette Knife and spinner played key roles in this production.
Do you have any tips to share with the readers?
Always have patience… give the painting a chance to develop. I have ALWAYS been too fast to condemn a painting after the first spin or tilt, and quickly repainted. This is something I’m trying to break myself from doing. It’s hard when at first glance you’re not happy. But sometimes you need to just see it through, there might be a Masterpiece under there!
About the Artist
Erika Tenney
Hometown: Tucson, AZ
YouTube | Facebook | Instagram
Project Specifications:
- YouTube Video of this project: https://youtu.be/tE6SI_rGZE8?si=75RUaQ0ub0-gsbN4
- Colors/brands of paint. CraftsSmart: Metallic Light Blue, Metallic Dark Blue, Mint Green, White, Espresso Brown, Burnt Sienna, Metallic Copper, Metallic Gold
- Paint Pouring technique(s) used. Swipe, Dirty Cup Pour & Dutch Paint Pouring techniques.
- Canvas (or substrate) size. 24″x36″ stretched canvas
About the Project
What inspired the techniques used in your piece?
I wanted this piece to look like ocean waves crashing on the beach. I used the Swipe technique to recreate the ocean waves. I used the Dirty Cup Pour for the sand on the beach and I used the Dutch Paint Pour technique to blend in the white ocean sea foam with the sand colors on the beach.
What challenges did you have completed this piece?
Well, first, I ALWAYS use too much paint! The struggle is real, but I love how my pieces turn out. My second challenge was the size of the canvas. Paint Pouring is always unpredictable and trying to create an abstract art piece in a large size will always be a challenge. I sped up my video to save the viewer some time so they could learn how to use these techniques to create their own, but in reality, I spent over 2 hours working on this piece to get it just right.
My third challenge was blending the white ocean foam with the sand beach colors. I wanted a softer look, and I started to blend the colors too much and blew out the sand colors too far into the ocean. I kept at it and finally got to a point that I loved. Overall, I embraced my challenges, and I love the final result!
Do you have a favorite part or element in this artwork?
I love how the Mint Green color turned out in the ocean. It gives it a little bit of brightness that my other ocean pieces have been missing.
Are there any specific tools or materials that you found particularly helpful in this project?
Yes! Good, old fashioned paper towels for Swiping the large ocean areas and the World’s Smallest Leaf Blower for the Dutch Paint Pour detail work.
Do you have any tips to share with the readers?
Practice on smaller canvas sizes first before diving into the larger canvas sizes. Be patient, trust the process, and enjoy your art time. If you find yourself getting frustrated, put on some music that makes your heart happy (https://www.youtube.com/@TucsonLocalBands) and keep going.
About the Artist
Rhonda Willman- Blind Awakening Art
Hometown: Brighton, Illinois
Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Tik Tok
Project Specifications:
- YouTube Video of this project: https://youtu.be/LW4Lh4YVo0A?si=89VeUJPiNc7QCOTz
- Colors/brands of paint. Background paints: Arteza brand: Lemon Yellow, Red Orange, Rose, Violet, Sky Blue. Wave colors: Amsterdam Titanian white (which is my cell activator mixed 3:1 Australian Floetrol to paint), Arteza Navy Blue, Pouring Masters Peacock Metallic Pearl, and Arteza paint custom mixes that I call Caribbean Bliss, Deep Ocean, Tropical Breeze, and Seafoam.
- Paint Pouring technique(s) used. Brushwork and the Dutch Pour Technique
- Canvas (or substrate) size. 12-inch round, cotton canvas
About the Project
What inspired the techniques used in your piece?
The first thing I thought of when Erika mentioned doing an ocean theme was doing a wave pour. I’ve done a few before, and was excited to do another one.
What challenges did you have completed this piece?
First of all, I should have used my paint straight from the tube, because I used my paint mixed with pouring medium making it too thin and too translucent. Next, because I let the background dry first, I had no base paint for my other paints to glide over. So I had to keep adding more paint. And then, I couldn’t get the tip of the wave the way I wanted it, so I had to keep wiping away the excess while trying to keep my background clean.
Do you have a favorite part or element in this artwork?
I love looking through the wave and seeing the sunset.
Are there any specific tools or materials that you found particularly helpful in this project?
I couldn’t have done it without my blow dryer, mini blower, and a straw. And baby wipes definitely saved the day. HaHa!
Do you have any tips to share with the readers?
Be sure to use enough paint and a base paint when blowing out your paints.
About the Artist
April Carr
Hometown: Brighton, Illinois
Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram
Project Specifications:
- YouTube Video of this project: https://youtu.be/oIbzxWC3eJE?si=0z5jwO9VzzeIHpgm
- Colors/brands of paint. Base is a mix of paints scraped from other projects.
Essentials primary Cyan, Ams bright blue, Liqu light blue violet, Liqu light blue perm, Liqu titanium white, folk art colorshift Emerald flash, folk art colorshift blue violet flash. - Paint Pouring technique(s) used. Dutch pour/blow out
- Canvas (or substrate) size. 20 inch solid pine wood round
About the Project
What inspired the techniques used in your piece?
The Dutch pour has always been my favorite technique and I’ve loved doing wave pours since the first time I saw Molly (from Molly’s artistry) do one on her YouTube channel.
What challenges did you have completed this piece?
The inner part and crest of the wave were a challenge, I scraped and redid it a few times.
Do you have a favorite part or element in this artwork?
My favorite part is definitely the addition of the folk art colorshift colors. They are so shiny and the cell reactions that they caused are amazing!
Are there any specific tools or materials that you found particularly helpful in this project?
A blow dryer is a necessity for this kind of pour.
Do you have any tips to share with the readers?
Don’t accept the first attempt if I you don’t like it, scrape and start again until you feel it is exactly what you want. Don’t be afraid to throw in some wild card colors.. for me it was the Emerald flash and I’m so glad that I did.
About the Artist
Angelia Bliss
Hometown: Rockwood, Tennessee
Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram
Project Specifications:
- YouTube Video of this project: https://youtu.be/73x5XN0NfqA?feature=shared
- Colors/brands of paint. TLP pigments – WhiteHaven, Latte, Hammerhead, TealFeather, Nubula
KS Table Top Epoxy Resin
Table scatter resin pieces
Real shells and sand from PBC - Paint Pouring technique(s) used. This was not a paint pouring technique as much as a Resin project that was created from years of using paint pouring techniques in some of my work. Thank you for letting me submit this for the ocean/beach colab. I used this with another ocean/beach end of summer colab as well.
- Canvas (or substrate) size. Free form
About the Project
What inspired the techniques used in your piece?
My love of the ocean inspired this piece. I love the flow and I am mesmerized by how this reminds me of the beautiful array of colors and movement in the ocean floor.
What challenges did you have completed this piece?
The only challenge I faced while completing this piece was how to place the two separate pieces together. I really love the end result.
Do you have a favorite part or element in this artwork?
The best element of this work is the way the sand and shells seem to float on top of the foamy edge of the crystal waters.
Are there any specific tools or materials that you found particularly helpful in this project?
This pretty free flowing there were not many things that helped me with this. I just kind of went with it and hoped for the best. Glad I did!!
Do you have any tips to share with the readers?
Take your time and just build it. Don’t be afraid to try new things. If you dream it you can create it!
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!
