Acrylic Pouring Course

Lesson 1 • What Is Acrylic Pouring

Defines fluid acrylic art, its origins, and how it differs from traditional painting. Establishes context for all techniques taught throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • Essential Tools and Materials

Identifies every tool needed to begin pouring, from canvases to mixing cups. Students gain a practical shopping framework before their first pour.

Lesson 3 • Colour Theory for Fluid Art

Applies colour wheel principles, contrast, and harmony specifically to poured compositions. Students learn to plan palettes that remain visually cohesive after mixing.

Lesson 4 • Setting Up Your Workspace

Covers workspace layout, levelling surfaces, and ventilation requirements. A properly prepared space prevents common errors and safety hazards.

Lesson 1 • Types of Pouring Mediums

Compares commercial pouring mediums, floetrol, and DIY alternatives by performance. Understanding each medium's behaviour guides product selection for specific techniques.

Lesson 2 • Mixing Ratios and Consistency

Teaches the paint-to-medium ratio that produces honey-like consistency for optimal flow. Correct ratios prevent cracking, crazing, and uneven coverage.

Lesson 3 • Troubleshooting Consistency Problems

Diagnoses and corrects issues such as paint that is too thick, too thin, or separating. Students develop a systematic approach to fixing mixtures before they hit the canvas.

Lesson 1 • Priming and Sealing Surfaces

Covers gesso, clear gesso, and specialty primers suited to different substrates. Correct priming ensures paint adhesion and prevents long-term cracking or peeling.

Lesson 2 • Alternative Pouring Surfaces

Introduces glass, ceramic, metal, and rock as non-traditional pouring substrates. Each surface requires specific priming and adhesion strategies for durable results.

Lesson 3 • Surface Texture and Its Effects

Examines how surface texture influences paint flow speed, cell formation, and pattern detail. Students test smooth vs. textured surfaces to understand the visual trade-offs.

Lesson 1 • The Swipe Technique

Drags a tool across wet paint to reveal underlying layers and create cells. Proper swiping pressure and angle determine the clarity of revealed patterns.

Lesson 2 • The Dutch Pour Technique

Uses air from a straw or heat gun to push wet paint across the canvas into lacy patterns. Students control airflow direction and intensity to shape the design.

Lesson 3 • The Dirty Pour Method

Layers multiple colours into a single cup and pours them onto the canvas simultaneously. This technique produces organic, unpredictable patterns with minimal tool use.

Lesson 4 • The Tree Ring Pour

Pours colours in concentric rings from a single point to build layered circular patterns. Students practise controlled pouring height and speed for defined ring edges.

Lesson 1 • Silicone Oil Application Methods

Covers drop, stir, and layer methods for adding silicone oil to paint mixtures. Each method produces different cell sizes and requires specific ratios for best results.

Lesson 2 • Controlling Cell Size and Placement

Teaches techniques to target cell formation in specific canvas areas and adjust cell scale. Students combine silicone ratios and heat to achieve intentional cell layouts.

Lesson 3 • Troubleshooting Cell Problems

Addresses common failures: no cells forming, cells disappearing, or cells appearing muddy. Students apply diagnostic steps to identify the root cause and correct it.

Lesson 4 • Using Heat to Activate Cells

Demonstrates torch and heat gun use to pop bubbles and open cells on wet paint. Students practise safe heat application distances to avoid scorching or overworking.

Lesson 1 • Negative Space and Masking

Uses tape, stencils, and resist materials to preserve white or coloured areas within a pour. Students integrate masking into their workflow without disrupting paint flow.

Lesson 2 • The String Pull Technique

Drags a paint-soaked string across the canvas to create feathered, organic line patterns. Students control string tension, speed, and paint load for varied results.

Lesson 3 • Layered Pouring and Repouring

Applies a second pour over a fully dried first layer to add depth and complexity. Students manage drying time, surface preparation, and adhesion between layers.

Lesson 4 • Combining Multiple Techniques

Integrates flip cup, swipe, and Dutch pour methods within a single composition. Students plan a multi-technique workflow and execute it with consistent quality.

Lesson 1 • Applying Epoxy Resin Topcoats

Introduces two-part epoxy resin as a high-gloss, self-levelling protective finish. Students learn mixing ratios, bubble removal, and safe handling of resin materials.

Lesson 2 • Framing and Presentation

Guides students through edge painting, hanging hardware, and framing options for poured art. Professional presentation increases perceived value and protects the finished piece.

Lesson 3 • Drying and Curing Acrylic Pours

Explains the difference between surface drying and full curing and the risks of rushing either. Students set up proper drying environments to prevent dust, cracks, and colour shifts.

Lesson 4 • Varnishing Acrylic Pour Paintings

Covers spray, brush-on, and pour-on varnish options with their respective application methods. Correct varnishing protects colour vibrancy and prevents UV yellowing over time.

Lesson 1 • Completing a Portfolio Series

Students plan and execute a five-piece series applying all course techniques with intentional style. The series serves as a professional portfolio demonstrating full course competency.

Lesson 2 • Building a Consistent Body of Work

Teaches how to create a cohesive series through consistent palette, scale, and technique choices. A unified body of work strengthens portfolio impact and brand identity.

Lesson 3 • Identifying Your Aesthetic Direction

Guides students through analysing their own work to identify recurring preferences in colour, texture, and pattern. Self-awareness of aesthetic tendencies is the foundation of a recognisable style.

Lesson 4 • Designing Intentional Compositions

Applies composition principles such as focal points, balance, and flow to planned pours. Students sketch pour plans before execution to reduce randomness and increase intentionality.