When I was a little girl, my mom would sometimes take me down to the 'five and dime store' called Woolworth's. We would order chocolate malts at the lunch counter and then do a bit of browsing around the small 'everything-you-could-possibly-need' store. Where else could you sip on a shake, buy new underwear, try on flashy rings and take home a canary if you were so inclined?!
Toward the end of our Woolworth's afternoon, my Mom would say I could pick out 'some little thing' and she knew I'd go straight to the the brown-paper wrapped surprises in the Grab Bag Barrel. I'd carefully untie the string, peel back the brown-paper and reveal the hidden item. Not even one of these trinkets is memorable to me (although I have a vague idea that bouncy balls appeared frequently) but, the excitement of unearthing a treasure among those paper wrapped mystery packages is as clear to me today as if it were yesterday...or the day before...
Anyway...
This is how I feel about Acrylic Pouring, or in my words, Grab Bag Art. I pick the paint combos, mix with the additives in a cup and pour, waiting for the magic to happen. Will I get yet another bouncy ball, or is this cell popping, colorific prize I've been waiting for?!
So here is a little step-by-step of how I've been experimenting with pouring acrylic paint. I am on one of the bottom rungs of the learning ladder, so I will be using inexpensive supplies until I feel more confident. Let's pour!
Acrylic Paint, Floetrol paint extender, disposable cups, ceramic tile, palette knife, 100% Silicone, water, torch. You will also need something to protect your work surface, stirring sticks (I use popsicle sticks) and paper towels. Disposable gloves also are recommended.
Set out your designated number of cups depending on how many colors you will be using plus one extra cup for the pour. I have been using less expensive paints rather than the artist quality lines which are wonderful, but pricey. I have also substituted Floetrol (Flood brand shown above) rather than investing in the more expensive art line pouring mediums. I have seen good reviews on treadmill oil for the 100% silicone, but I opted for the cheaper hardware store variety (in this example Liquid Wrench).
Images left to right: 1. Add paint colors to individual cups 2. Add Floetrol (I just guess at amounts but would estimate 1/5 ratio to paint - again, experiment) 3. Stir completely 4. Add tiny amounts of water and check fluidity
Step 4 is the tricky part (one of the tricky parts). Add just a tiny bit of water at a time, stir and lift your stirring stick. Does your paint mixture stream off like warm honey? If it is 'globby' you will need to add more water; just don't add too much! You will need to start from scratch if your paint is too watered-down.
Give your prepared cups a squirt of silicone. You do not need to add silicone to every color. Experiment and decide what outcome you want to achieve. Mix silicone ONLY slightly into your paint mix (I make an X with my stirring stick).
Images left to right: 1. Add your first color choice to your pouring cup. 2. Pour in your next color choice. 3 & 4. Continue layering your colors, repeating colors in any order as desired.
Let your layers settle and interact in your cup. You should start to see some fun things happening. When you are ready, pour onto your substrate. For this example I will use the 'flip cup' technique onto a ceramic tile.
Hold your pour cup in the palm of your hand and place your substrate on top. Flip. Let the contents settle for a moment and then lift your cup. (I had taped a piece of wood to the bottom of my tile so that it was elevated while the paint ran over the sides).
1. Cup lifted and paint is on the move. Watch for areas you want to preserve on your piece, tilting SLOWLY as needed. 2. Using a palette knife, ensure the edges are coated with paint, adding the run-off from the pour. 3. A torch is not always needed, but I gave this a blast hoping for more 'cell' action (sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't - but I feel so uber cool using the torch!)
And finished....I think I see a frog...
What is that at the bottom? A sea monster...?
Surf's up...
My personal favorite so far: Coral Reef
There you have it, my experiment with Acrylic Pouring. Like I said earlier, I really don't know what I'm doing, but I sure am having fun...even though my creations are all bouncy balls for now.
So, my friends, go forth and POUR! Let me know if you get a wonderful prize!
Leslie