What is Acrylic Expression Pouring?

Acrylic Expressionist Pour Artist

Leah Wells

Sailing in the Fire Sky.
Acrylic Expressionist Pour on Stretched Canvas.

Leah Wells

Acrylic pouring is a fantastic fluid painting technique used to create art. It is accomplished by pouring acrylic high pigmented paints mixed with conditioners designed to increase the flow and lower the paint viscosity of heavy body acrylics. I premix my colors in batches and pour them directly onto a stretched canvas.

Adding silicon oils to acrylic paints allows hundreds of abstract bubbles to develop and become “cells”. The oils float to the top due to different densities and buoyancy of the paints and create unique patterns and abstract designs. I love how this method of painting creates unique abstract designs close up and completely different from far away.

I've taken basic acrylic pouring and invented my own unique way to create original art using this medium. I call this new technique “expressionist pouring”. The name combines two well known techniques of painting: I use acrylic pouring as a medium to create expressionistic paintings.

I pour my paints slowly and carefully while using various techniques and adaptations with different values of control. My favorite method of expressionistic pouring is using spoons to SCOOP the fluid acrylics onto the canvas.

My works are poured in 1-3 layers, depending on the content and difficulty. Drying time between layers usually take up to three days; layers allow me to build up my pours and create finished pieces with intricate pours in top of one another.

Emerald Isle created using SPOONS

Click on the above image to see quick video of the creation on Emerald Isle on my Instagram Page @leahsacrylicpours