How to mix acrylic paint for pouring
Achieving your paint mixture correctly is key to getting a decent poor. This might be a little trickier than it seems. Especially if you want to experience the same cellular effect as other folks.
I'd advise beginning with Floetrol. It will be rather simple to achieve decent results with it, and a small bottle only costs $8 to $9. The bigger one will cost $17.98 from Lowes.
My standard formula for pouring acrylic is 3 parts Floetrol, 1 part paint, and 1 part water. I prefer to use a scale to weigh it in grams.
I use a number of paint brands, but to start, the acrylic paint from Liquitex Basics is excellent. It took me a while to learn that this fundamental recipe will vary according to the brand of acrylic paint you use, so make any necessary adjustments. I prefer to add more water to thick paint while doing the opposite with thin paint. Use a 2 to 1 to 1 ratio if you are using craft paints or something else that isn't as thick.
Starting with little framed canvases, like the 5 by 7-inch canvases, is something I strongly advise. Even with thorough research and practice, mistakes are inevitable. Although I'd like to prevent that, it's actually a necessary step in the process.
Since this is an extremely experimental form of art, exploration is where the majority of creativity rests. In the methods, you choose to apply the paint on the canvas as well as how you combine your colors. So have fun with it!
Additionally, a small 2 oz cup should be plenty for your pour with this canvas size. If you want to get an exact measurement of paint needed to cover your canvas you can use the Acrylic Pouring Pant Calculator developed by Olga Soby. It’s a game changer and a money saver!
Understanding the right amount of flow that the paint should have after being thoroughly mixed together is the key to getting a good pour. After many pours, you'll start to get an understanding of this. Some claim that it must have the fluidity of honey, which tends to pile up as it reaches the surface. This works well as a general guideline.
Others claim that it must flow off the stick when you tip it vertically and sit firmly on the stick when you hold it horizontally. I prefer somewhere in the middle of these two consistencies. Another example of how experimental this process may be. As the weather and seasons change, your paint ratio will too. Variables, such as altitude, temperature, and air moisture content, may affect your results.
Here is a brief summary of the key steps in my painting mixing process.
STEP 1: Determine what paint brand you are using and then choose which formula to follow to mix your paint. The standard formula for pouring acrylic is 3 parts Floetrol, 1 part Liquitex Basics paint, and 1 part water. Or use a 2 to 1 to 1 ratio if you are using craft paints or something else that isn't as thick.
STEP 2: Determine how big your canvas or wood panel will be. Use the Acrylic Pouring Pant Calculator to calculate how much paint you will need to cover the entire canvas.
STEP 3: Divide the whole amount of paint according to the abovementioned ratios. Weigh the Floetrol, paint, and water in grams using a scale. I like to measure each item into a separate cup before adding it all together. To achieve the best results, first, combine the Floetrol and paint; then, while adding the water gradually, check the consistency.
STEP 4 (Optional): Add a couple of drops of Liquid Silicone to a few of your paints to create larger cells. Please note your paintings will need to be cleaned thoroughly before you can seal them. It’s a great effect but a total pain in the ass!
After performing a significant number of these pours over the course of a few months, you will begin to have an intuitive sense of it, but there is still much for you to learn. Don't worry about mastering anything just now; instead, go play!