Dutch Pour Painting Tutorial

The Dutch Pour technique is a popular and exciting acrylic pour painting technique that produces a dazzling flow of colours. This technique requires fluid paint and an instrument to blow air on the canvas.

By using the air and the thinned paint, you can create a unique and interesting look that will add a sense of movement to your artwork. To use this technique effectively, start by pouring some fluid acrylic onto your canvas in any design or pattern you like. Then take an instrument such as a straw or canned air to blow the paint across the canvas.

In this guide, learn everything you need to know about creating an acrylic pour painting with the Dutch pour technique. This includes the supplies you need, a step by step process and tips on how to succeed!

What is a dutch pour?

The Dutch pour is an acrylic painting technique, whereby the artist applies fluid acrylics to the surface, then blows the colours so that they splay, blend and marble. Artists can use any kind of tool they like to blow air. Either blow with a straw, a hairdryer or compressed air.

Fluid artists use this technique to achieve spontaneous and abstract results, to achieve cells and an explosion of colour that spreads quickly across the canvas.

Dutch pour supplies

• Canvas or another painting surface
• Fluid acrylic paint (such as Golden Fluid Acrylics) in your choice of colours
• Pouring Medium (such as Golden Pouring Medium)
• Silicone oil (optional)
• Mixing cups
• Palette knife to spread colour
• A large cup or jug for the pour
• Stirring sticks
• Protective covering for the workspace
• Gloves to protect your hands
• A tool to create a stream of air—like a straw or hair dryer

For a comprehensive list of acrylic pour painting supplies, check out our guide.

Create a Dutch Pour: Tutorial

1. Begin by preparing your workspace, covering the area with protective layers. Plastic sheets work well for this.
2. Mix each of your chosen colours with the pouring medium and silicone oil as required, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Use one cup per colour.
3. If you want to create a plain white or black background to surround the vivid colours, get some of your base colour, for example, white or black paint and cover the surface. Tilt the canvas and use a palette knife to spread the colour to the edges. Don’t wait for it to dry, start pouring your colours on straight away.
4. You can choose to use another acrylic pouring technique to lay the colours down on the wet canvas. For example, you could pour them straight on, or use the dirty pour method, where colours are all poured into a cup, then poured onto the canvas together.
5. When your colours are all poured onto the surface, use a hairdryer, straw or canned air to blow the colours. If using a hairdryer, start by blowing on a lower speed to ensure the colours don’t run too fast. Turn it on and off in short bursts, to maximise control over the air flow.
6. You can optionally tilt the colours, or use a palette knife to drag the paint up to the edges. It may also be necessary to pour more of your white, or base colour to coat the edges.
7. Once the entire canvas is covered, let it dry for 24-48 hours. When it’s completely dry through, you can start varnishing and framing!

Dutch pour painting tips

• You can optionally coat the entire surface with a base coat of white or black paint before you start pouring the additional colours. This is to create a background colour for the vivid colours to flow onto.
• Simplify your colour palette for a harmonious effect.
• Use a base colour, such as black and white, to bring contrast to the more saturated colours on your palette.
• Make sure to use the correct air blowing tool—for instance a straw may create too weak of an air stream for a larger painting. A hairdryer on a high speed may create too strong of an airstream for a smaller painting.
• If you have used silicone oil, you may need to use a heat gun to get rid of air bubbles on the surface.
• Experiment with different colours, sized canvases, pouring techniques and tools for blowing air until you find a combination you love!

Finally

With these simple steps and tips, you’ll be on your way to creating a fantastic Dutch Pour painting in no time! So grab your supplies and let’s get started!