What is Acrylic Pouring?

“Breakthrough Sunrise”
Acrylic Pour on Stretched Canvas.

Leah Wells

Click on the photo to view quick video of the details on my website

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.

Cups of fluid paint

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.

Close up look at laced cells developing on the canvas

I’ve combined experience with traditional methods of painting paired with acrylic pouring and discovered my own unique way to create original art using this medium.

I pour my paints slowly and carefully while using various techniques and adaptations with different values of control. My favorite method of pouring is using spoons to SCOOP the fluid acrylics and a palette knife for the details.

My works are poured in 2-12+ layers, depending on the complexity. Drying time between layers usually take up to three days; layers allow me to build up my pours and create finished pieces with intricate “puddles”of 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