COLOUR POUR TIPS & TECHNIQUES

INSTRUCTIONS

PREPARING YOUR CANVAS

If the canvas comes with wooden keys, insert into the wooden frame to ensure your surface is taunt. This will reduce paint pooling in the middle. Taping the back or sides of the canvas will create a cleaner and more professional look. This will also reduce any possibility of paint staining walls or surfaces. Peel off tape when the painting has fully dried after 2-5 days.

BASIC POUR

A basic pour means pouring one color at a time on a surface. You can tilt and roll your surface to swirl the colors together to create psychedic patterns or leave it as is for cleaner lines. Basic pours are great for creating color block effects as you have more control over your pouring & colours.

DIRTY POUR

The process of a dirty pour technique starts with layering colours in a cup then pouring it onto a surface. It is a great beginner technique as each pour will give you unique and varied effects. Be careful to not to layer too many colours at once as it can give a muddled pour.

FLIP POUR

Pour individual colours into a cup similar to the dirty pour technique then place your surface on top of the cup. Holding it securely, flip it over. The suction will keep the cup in place until you pull it off. Before lifting the cup let it settle for a few seconds before pulling the cup. Tilt the canvas to let the paint swirl and mix.

DUTCH POUR

This pour using air to manipulate the paints. Starting with a basic or dirty pour technique, start by pouring your paints onto the surface then using a blow dryer or blow into a straw to manipulate the colours and blend them together. You can create interesting shapes or abstract flowers with this technique.

STRAINER POUR

More advanced than previous techniques, this style creates lovely flower petal-like effects. Start by layering your colours in a cup similar to the dirty pour technique, place a strainer or colander in the centre of the surface. If you're working on a large surface, pre-paint the surface for it to spread better. Pour your cup into the strainer and let it settle, to remove the strainer twist it 180 degress clockwise, lift it off the surface and cover the bottom with your hand or plate to prevent paint drippings. Tilt the canvas to develop your patterns, be careful not to overstretch your cells so it doesn't distort the petal effects. Tilting in a circular motion will keep it centred.