Puddle pour technique

Puddle Pour Acrylic Pouring Technique

Acrylic pouring art is rapidly becoming a popular form of abstract painting worldwide. It involves mixing different colours of paint with specific ratios of pouring mediums to create fascinating abstract forms on the canvas. Puddle pour is one of the most common acrylic pouring techniques used by artists to create unique and stunning art pieces.

This guide will explain how to conduct a puddle pour acrylic pour painting by following these simple steps.

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What is the puddle pour technique?

The puddle pour technique is a type of acrylic pouring technique where the artist mixes multiple colours of acrylic paints and then pours it onto the canvas in a circular motion, creating an even “puddle” of colour. This technique results in a stunning abstract creation that can create concentric circles, similar to Kandinsky’s ‘Color Study, Squares with Concentric Circles’ painting. Artists can then manipulate the colour on the canvas, by tilting, or swiping with a palette knife.

Gather your supplies

For a comprehensive list of acrylic pouring supplies, check out our guide!

How to create a puddle pour painting

  • Prepare your workspace: Like every other acrylic pouring technique, it is crucial to start by preparing your workspace. Cover the working area with a protective covering and wear gloves and an apron to protect yourself from spillages and splatters.
  • Choose colours: When selecting colours for your puddle pour painting, choose colours that will harmonise. Select a base colour like black or white to create negative space.
  • Mix paint and pouring medium: Once you have your colours, mix each of them with the pouring medium. Use one cup per colour. The mixing ratio of paint to pouring medium depends on the type of pouring medium being used, so check the instructions from the manufacturer.
  • Mix silicone oil: This is an optional step, but you can add in a few drops of silicone oil to each colour if you want to create the appearance of cells.
  • Pour colours onto the canvas: One by one, pour a little of each colour onto the canvas. Make sure to pour evenly with a steady hand, so that even circular puddles of colours are created. Alternate the colours used.
  • Cover the edges of the canvas: Optionally, tilt the canvas to cover the edges with colour. Bear in mind that the concentric circle shapes you created will be lost.
  • Manipulate colours: Once you’ve poured your colours onto the canvas, you can manipulate them in various ways to create unique patterns. You can tilt the canvas and sway the paint in different directions to create an appealing composition. Another option is to use a palette knife to pull through the paint, creating beautiful lines and shapes.
  • Get rid of air bubbles: Especially if you’ve used silicone oil, use a heat gun to get rid of those bubbles.
  • Leave to dry: Let the painting dry for around 24-48 hours. Then you can think of varnishing and hanging it!

Puddle pour painting tips

  • The trick to getting your puddle pour right is to maintain a consistent flow of paint. You can do this by pouring the paint in puddles on the canvas, moving from one color to the next until you have your desired amount.
  • One way to create cells is to use a heat gun to heat the silicone oil, a torch, or a palette knife to release them from the surface.
  • If you’re looking for an additional layer of protection for your painting, consider using a varnish. This will ensure that your artwork is protected from dust and UV. It will also give the painting a glossy finish!

Finally

Puddle pour acrylic pouring is a great way to create abstract art pieces in no time. With just a few simple tools and steps, you can create beautiful creations! Experiment with colours, textures, and manipulating the paint to get stunning results! If you want to try other acrylic pouring techniques, why not try the Dutch pour, or the flip cup technique!