My Process
It starts with an idea.
I find inspiration in nature and focus on color and texture. Whisps of white on a blue background is reminiscent of churning waves, while ribbons of green mimick blades of grass. Sometimes I experiment with bold colors to bring playfulness to simple techniques, while other times I embrace the monochromatic.
With that idea in mind, I decide which technique serves the inspiration best. From there decide on the color palette and mix paint with water and pouring medium. Paints are specifically mixed with technique in mind.
Depending on the chosen technique, I begin painting by pouring a layer of background color and layer on additional colors. I manipulate the composition by tilting, blowing, and swiping the wet paint. Paintings take several days to dry.
Glossary of Acrylic Pour Techniques
Ribbon Pour
The pouring of fluid paint in multiple lines across the canvas.
This will tend to create a painting that has a more linear set of layers, depending on the method in which the paint is moved around.
Blow Out/
Dutch Pour
A very general term for an acrylic pour where the paint is shifted around using moving air (e.g. via hairdryer or straw).
This method causes the paint to mix a little and take on a wispy, cloudy, cosmic look.
Straight Pour
A pouring technique involving layering fluid paint into a cup, and then pouring the layered cup onto a canvas. Think latte art!
Ring Pour
A pouring technique involving layering fluid paint into a cup, and then pouring the layered cup onto a canvas while making small circular motions with the hand.
This produces many layers in a way that resembles the rings of a tree.
Flip Cup
A “pouring” technique involving layering fluid paint in a cup, then flipping the entire cup upside down and onto the canvas.
Once released, the paint takes on a layered cell appearance.
Kiss Pour
Two separate cups of paint are layered and prepared. Upon pouring, the two cups are tipped together at the same time to pour on the same spot.
The effect can highlight the contrast/joining of two separate, but complementary, palettes.
Swipe
After strategically placing the paint on on the canvas, a swiping tool is smeared over the paint to create a wispy, streaked design.
Bloom
Paint is layered on the canvas, manipulated, then spun using a lazy susan. The composition expands in all directions to create a zoomed-in appearance.
Cells
As paint settles, the bottom layer can rise to the surface through the top layers.
These are called cells, and can look like anything from tiny individual spots to an array of intricate webbing.
