Paint Pouring
Pour Painting is a craft that has been very popular the past couple of years. Last year I noticed that one of my Facebook friends was posting many photos of her creations and I thought they were quite nice. The technique creates a contemporary looking, abstract design. A pouring medium is used to mix with various paint colors, and sometimes water is added. One may pour each color on the canvas separately, or pour all of the colors into one larger cup, and dump the whole cup, at once, on the canvas. Once the paint is on the canvas, it is tilted to spread the paint around until the desired effect is achieved. A few drops of silicone or dimethicone are added to create more texture. I have wanted to try this craft since I saw her posts, and finally got around to it.
My friend, Lynnea, pointed me to her recommended YouTube demonstrators on the technique of pour painting. I watched a few videos, but some time had passed before I got around to trying the technique. This didn’t bode well for me. On my first attempt the result was boring. The technique is supposed to result in definition between colors and lots of texture from the lines, swirls, and bubbles, called “cells”. I wasn’t too upset. I thought that I would just paint over the canvas with gesso and try again, which I did. The next attempt was a little better, but still not very inspiring. I decided that I needed to brush up on my knowledge and return to YouTube again to find the instructions. After spending a couple of hours viewing many different demonstrators speak about their techniques for pour painting, I realized that there is no specific formula. One thing that is common is the use of a pouring medium to make the paint flow. Many painters use Flood Floetrol, which I was able to get from Amazon. The thing is, it seemed that every demonstrator had a different measurement. One person said to mix five parts pouring medium to one part paint, another said to use two-thirds pouring medium to one- third of paint. After hearing many different instructions, I realized that I would have to experiment until I found what worked for me.
I decided to go with the two-thirds pouring medium to one-third of paint. I experimented with the amount of water. Early attempts might have been too watery because I had too much blending of colors. I was happy with the results of my second attempt, except that I chose too many light colors. I would have re-used this canvas, or experimented with a mixed media application, had I not touched the canvas before it dried. Lesson learned, wait a couple of days before blotting the canvas to remove silicone residue. I really regret this mistake because I later learned that one can do a two-step technique of applying a vinyl shape over the first pour, doing a second pour, and removing the vinyl shape to show a stenciled look. That canvas that was too light might have been perfect for that technique. No worries, I intend to try again.
Once I had been through three experimental pours, on my fourth try, I turned out something that pleased me. My goal was to have a set of three 12 inch canvases that coordinate with my living room colors, to hang in a straight, horizontal line above my television. My color scheme is cream, taupe, and brown with accents of turquoise and some orange thrown in for a pop. I think I am getting to where I want to be with this fourth pour. Now I’ve learned my lesson about drying and I didn’t touch the canvas for 12 hours, when I gingerly moved it to a safe area to continue drying for 21 days. I learned from online comments that it is best to wait three weeks before applying a finishing varnish. So, I waited, and, I tried more pours. I can see how this can be an addicting hobby.
I want to share an observation from my first canvas. I’d thought that painting over it with gesso would be the best thing to do to re-use the canvas. It appears that wasn’t a good idea. The additional pour had many cracks when it dried. One other fact, I had applied gesso when I first took the canvas out of the package because I heard, somewhere, that should be done, even though the canvas says that is primed.
I think I had far too many layers on this canvas for it to dry smoothly. So, this, applying gesso to a pre-primed canvas, was mistake number one, and mistake number two was applying gesso to a canvas I wanted to reuse. Mistake number three was not waiting longer to blot away the silicone. I don’t think it would have hurt anything to leave the tiny, shiny little divots created by the silicone drops mixed into the paint. I will have to inquire about this with the online community. As I continue with my attempts at these paintings, I am noticing that the colors are darker after the canvas dries. Since I am a quilter, I know that contrast is important when planning the visual effects of a quilt. I see that I might need to work on incorporation of more lights and darks in my pours to enable me to get a painting that is more striking. Still, there are times when low volume is needed. Just like in quilting, I will learn as I go.
From the YouTube demonstrators I learned that there are Facebook groups dedicated to pour painting. I have already learned a lot from reading the conversations. I’ve seen some absolutely beautiful things and have been exposed to a number of mixed media ideas using the canvas as base. I am interested in practicing with pour painting. I primarily spend my free time making quilts because I love color and textiles. Pour painting allows me to practice with color theories for a relatively low cost investment. It pleases me that one can try this hobby for a rather inexpensive trip to the big box store. The day that I purchased my canvases, Joann’s had them at a door buster price. I have since found that the dollar stores and Walmart have low priced canvases, as well. The 2 ounce bottles of paint can also be used, like Apple Barrel or Americana, although the demonstrators on YouTube use some more official looking artists’ paints. It all works. I grabbed some of the Americana bottles on sale for 78 cents when I picked up my canvases. As you can see, there can be a low initial investment to try this hobby.
I do have the tryptic in my living room. It adds a pop a color, which is what I wanted. I am not thrilled with the look. It’s okay for now. I think I would like a single canvas that is much larger. I would like more impact, or contrast in the cells that emerge with the silicone technique. All of my supplies are put away right now. I will wait till the spirit moves me again to try a larger pour with different colors. But, I recommend trying this, as the folks in the Facebook group have had some spectacular results, to the point that some are selling their creations.
Annemarie Ridderhof was most helpful in that she has many YouTube videos explaining the paint pouring technique.
Caren Goodrich is also an excellent demonstrator with many tutorials on YouTube.
Also, on Facebook, the group: Paint Pouring People is filled with helpful, inspiring, and creative souls.
I know that this hobby isn’t going to become my life’s passion, but thought it was great fun and I am likely to do it again. I urge you try it. The supplies are quite inexpensive, so it might be worth a go. You might become an artist with a successful Etsy shop!