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Let me be honest up front: I'm not the artist here. My friend Jacqui is. I just love her work and the time we get to spend together when the paint comes out. Back in 2018 she shared her process in episode 1 of her art series, and people still ask what goes into a pour. A few of the original supplies have since been discontinued, so here's a beginner set to try today, plus simple steps if you want to give it a go yourself 💜
Watch Jacqui pour
Short and sweet, under two minutes. Watch Jacqui's episode 1 on YouTube and find more on the Foster the Imagination channel.
The beginner supply list
This is the kind of kit you see in a beginner pour like Jacqui's: nothing fancy, just the basics. If you're trying it for the first time, start here.
Surfaces
- Artlicious 8x10 canvas panels, 12-pack. Small panels are cheap, so you can experiment without stress.
- 4x4 ceramic tiles for coasters. Prime anything that isn't already primed with gesso.
Pouring medium
- Flood Floetrol. This is the magic. Mix it with your paint until it pours like warm honey.
Paint
- Apple Barrel 18-color craft acrylic set. Any decent craft acrylic works to start. Buy a set, then add the colors you keep reaching for. White goes fastest.
The little extras
- Plastic cups for mixing and layering (one per color, plus one for the pour).
- Wooden stir sticks.
- Disposable gloves.
- Plastic drop cloth. Pouring is messy. Like, really messy lol
- Something to lift the canvas off the table, like a few upside-down cups, so paint can drip off the edges.
How to do your first acrylic pour
- Set up. Cover the table with the drop cloth, put on gloves and set your canvas on upside-down cups.
- Mix. In separate cups, mix each color about 1:1 with Floetrol. Add water a few drops at a time until it pours like warm honey.
- Layer. Pour your colors into one cup in layers. Don't stir.
- Flip. Place the canvas face down on the cup, hold both and flip them over together.
- Lift. Lift the cup slowly and watch the paint spread.
- Tilt. Tip the canvas gently until the paint covers the edges.
- Dry. Leave it flat and covered from dust for one to three days.
Tips for your first pour
- Consistency matters more than anything. Too thick and it won't flow, too thin and the colors turn muddy.
- Pick 3 or 4 colors plus white. More colors usually means more mud.
- Save the drips on the drop cloth. Dried "paint skins" are fun for collage.
- Check that your table is level before you pour, or everything slides to one side overnight.
FAQ
What do I need for my first acrylic pour?
The beginner set: canvas or panels, craft acrylic paint, a pouring medium like Floetrol, plastic cups, stir sticks, gloves and a drop cloth. That's it.
What is the best pouring medium for beginners?
Floetrol. It's cheap, easy to find and forgiving while you learn the consistency.
What ratio of paint to Floetrol should I use?
Start around 1 part paint to 1 part Floetrol, then add water a few drops at a time until it pours like warm honey.
How long does an acrylic pour take to dry?
Usually 24 to 72 hours, depending on how thick it is and how humid your space is. Keep it flat the whole time.
Can I pour on something other than canvas?
Yes. Ceramic tiles make great coasters, and wood panels work too. Prime anything that isn't already primed with gesso.
Love creative projects?
More on Foster the Imagination, in the blog, and on the YouTube channel. If you're filming a pour (or a friend's), my simple video kit covers what I use. And if you'd rather hang something finished, browse my photo prints on Fine Art America, Zazzle and Redbubble, or the posters in my TikTok Shop.
Have you tried a pour yet, or is there a friend whose art you love being around? Let me know!