Can I Make My Own Acrylic Pouring Medium?

Acrylic pouring is becoming more popular in today’s world because of its creation of stunning arts. In addition, it is the shortest and easiest way to get an impressive and appealing work of art. Unfortunately, some acrylics are too thick for any acrylic pouring technique. It is therefore essential to use professional pouring mediums to thin the paint. However, most of such mediums can be very costly. So would it be possible to make your acrylic pouring medium instead?

You can make your acrylic pouring medium. However, you need to check on the use of water as it can weaken the binding abilities of the solvent. So alternatively, you should use silicone oil, Elmer’s glue, or Liquitex pouring medium, to get that fluid acrylic.

The painting industry is growing tremendously. As a result, you need to be conversant with every other latest trend in the same. So make sure you read ahead for detailed info on acrylic pouring mediums to get more information to answer the query Can I Make My Own Acrylic Pouring Medium?

What Is the Science Behind Acrylic Pouring?

The science behind acrylic pouring is dependent on acrylic thickness. The paints can be somewhat extra thick to yield acute results on your canvas. As a result, you need a thinning medium that will reduce the thickness of the paint and reduce its solubility with other pigments.

Whether artistic work is something you are very talented in or a professional you are pursuing, it’s time you know that the industry is growing. Therefore, unless you are updating yourself constantly with the new changes, you will be celebrating your prowess when, in reality, you might be decades back. 

Acrylic pouring is not only about the end product, but it is also about time. Imagine you have a client in need of art in two hours time. While that is not enough to pull through with the latex paints, all you’ll need to do in acrylic pouring is get yourself an appropriate medium, and boom, you are good to go. 

However, while going through this unique artistic procedure, you should know, you might not make it out on your first trial. But as long as you are determined to see results from this, you will pull yourself through. And that is the very first principle this art needs for any beginner. So with your drive and persistence, even after the first 5 attempts went southwards, you will make it at the sixth, seventh, and all through to infinite.

Here is what you need to know about acrylic pouring:

Pigment Constituents

So acrylic pour painting is all about fluid flow arts. Not forgetting that the acrylic paint consists of pigments suspended in acrylic emulsions, polymers, and plasticizers. It is also common to find other pigments in silicon oils, stabilizers, metal soaps, and deformers.

Binders

Pouring mediums are needed because color pigments contain several binders that ensure the paint remains firmly attached to the canvas. While acrylic paint can wash off when wet, once dry, it sticks permanently. So the sticking results from the binders include silicon and linseed oils or some synthetic plasticizers.

Pouring Medium 

However, during their original company mixing, most of these binders are always in solid form. As a result, you get some huge pasty solvents that can’t pour on their own. Nevertheless, despite the manufacturing companies varying from one to another, they all feel you, that is why the acrylic paints have in them several additives to help in thinning them.

So with such mixtures, you can go ahead with your pour painting, but such thick solvents can take forever to pour. Thus, you need to thin the paint further with a medium to achieve a paint thin enough to match your artistic desires.

What Is the Best Medium for Acrylic Pouring?

The Best medium for acrylic pouring is Flood Floetrol Additive, Liquitex Pouring Medium, Unicone Art Silicone Oil, and Elmer’s Multi-Purpose Liquid Glue. However, there are several other regular mediums, though they all vary in price and quantity.

The cost variations of acrylic mediums can scare off any beginners away from getting a perfect medium. It may result in the use of water, which as much as it’s a medium it has its advantages on acrylic paints.

You will notice a significant structural difference in the vibrancy of the paint when thinning with water. So if you are a goal-driven artist, you will realize, the general end product you got is not what you would want. Therefore, you need a medium that will create a unique and appealing finish after drying.

Additionally, your choice of pouring medium should uphold the original colors and even go some way in beautifying the general outcome. Some of these mediums include:

Flood Floetrol Additive

It is a less costly additive that binds perfectly with acrylics without affecting the paint’s binder. In addition, the additive is famous for its general matte finish and, as a result, it is the choice for most artists. 

However, Flood Floetrol additive comes in clumps that need a perfect stirring to ensure consistent results.

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Liquitex Pouring Medium

The substance has a smooth texture that does not affect acrylics, thus enhancing an eased flow.  Using the Liquitex Pouring Paint Medium, you can be sure of no dried crack surfaces because of its glass-like gloss finish.  

The medium can be somewhat expensive though there is an introduction of buying it in smaller affordable quantities. But you can always go for the larger gallon container because of its improved concentrated value.

Elmer’s Multi-Purpose Liquid Glue

This liquid glue is one of your best bet extenders when mixed with acrylic paints. However, it is not school glue, but it is quite affordable and does not leave any residue on its thinning.

But you may need to follow its preparation procedure to make it perfect for long-term usage. Elmer’s Multi-Purpose Liquid Glue is not only also comes in a 1-gallon container but at an unbelievable cheap price.

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Unicone Art Silicone Oil

One of the most appealing outcomes of acrylic paints is the ability of cell making in the art. Such effects are much sought for and can only be uncovered with acute measures. However, with the Unicone Art Silicone oil, you stand better chances of getting the cells on your art because of its 100 percent silicone ingredient. 

How to Use Pouring Medium in Acrylic Paints?

To use a pouring medium in acrylic paints, you need a squeeze bottle that gives sharp details. You must also mix the medium with the pigment appropriately and stir to a perfect mixture. Make sure that you clean off the containers’ nozzles and tightly seal them after use.

Acrylic pouring mediums vary from one company to another. Therefore, some may have different mixing instructions from others for an even tone in their outcome. So it is up to you to visit the company’s website for the directions on using the medium. If there are no provisions on the container you are using.

However, here is a basic procedure that might be just as essential for any acrylic pouring medium. But I will still advise you to check the labels on the container or online for more even quantities.

1. Find a perfect container. Squeeze bottles are the best because you can be sure to rely on their nozzle for fine line paint.
2. Add your pouring medium. It is important not to add more than 50% of the proportion if you intend to use water as the medium. Advisably you should use substances other than water.
3. But if you have to use water, you must make sure you use it on a 50:50 scale with another medium. Be careful, though, before adding water to your chosen medium. You must confirm from the label that it’s okay to add water.
4. Add the acrylic paint into the bottled medium. You have to note I stated you pour the acrylic paint to the medium, not vice versa. It is because you need to tests the efficiency of your medium. Some mediums might induce fast-drying, so you may need to be wise.
5. In addition, your ratio of the paint matters since too little paint will yield weak colors other than the desired bold ones. While too much paint will also give uneased flow. Therefore, you may need to be keener on trial and error until you have a proportionate mixture.
6. You may need a funnel for pouring either the medium or the paint into a container. However, you won’t need to buy it. Because if you are using a tube with a small opening, you might not get a readily available funnel. Therefore, using aluminum foil, fold it gently to your desired shape and go ahead with your mixing.
7. Mix the resulting solvent well. Failure to do this, you will have a solvent on a different layer and the acrylics too on another layer. Therefore, you should use either a coffee stirrer or any appropriate stirrer for a perfect mixture. The solvent should not have any air bubbles. If any are present, cover the remaining airspace on the top of the container leaving only the stir stick’s space as you keep mixing.

From then your acrylic is good to use, but you can have a few tests to check its pouring behavior and mixture. You should also note how the paint pours out whether you need to squeeze the bottle or how fast the paint can pour out efficiently.

When done with your practice or usage of the container, if you used a nozzle bottle, make sure you clean it off. It might be somewhat tedious but it will help in making sure the paint does not dry; clogging the passage.

You will also need to make sure that every time you finish using a container, you have an airtight seal to prevent the drying of the paint inside the container.

How Do You Pour Acrylic Without Pouring Medium?

To pour acrylic without a pouring medium you will add water onto the relative amount of paint you need. However, it is advisable to make sure water does not exceed a third of the whole composition. Too much water makes the paint lose its adhesiveness.

If the surfaces are too thick, they can easily peel off after drying, so make sure they aren’t too thick. But in case you do not have access to any medium, here’s what you should do:

• Add your paint into an open container and add water to it. However, as I stated earlier, water is not a reliable medium. Therefore, you have to make sure water is not more than a third of your new mixture. For instance, if you are using a 30ml container, make sure the acrylic is 20ml and the water is 10ml.
• Add the water a little at a time while stirring it for some time. Remember the more you mix, the better consistent paint you have.
• Add 3 drops of silicone to your mixed paint. Silicone is essential for cell formation on your art because it is an oil and oils don’t mix with water.
• When you are ready to paint, you will need to make sure you don’t have a heavy splash of the paint in one place to avoid cracking once the acrylic dries off.

How Do You Make an Acrylic Medium at Home?

To make an acrylic medium at home you can use water and glue; or glue and Floetrol additives. However, you can have better results with white glue or Elmer’s glue. Using glue and water might not yield the right results, so you should always try Floetrol and glue.

Acrylic paints need a pouring medium that will enhance their flow as well as prevent different colors from mixing. However, the pouring mediums can be quite costly. Going for a homemade medium can be the best option. 

Therefore, you can do this by:

Using Glue and Water

As much as some office glues can work, white glue is the best ingredient. You should also use 100% clean water. If the water may contain bacteria, it will react with the glue and the paints eventually yielding poor results.

• You will need to mix the two proportionally in half quantities. 
• Stir them very well or shake them for an even mixture. However, this alternative is not guaranteed, it may or may not yield effective results, thus the need for trying out in little proportions.
• So if it fails you should go ahead and try the next alternatives.

Using Glue and Floetro

I used Floetrol and glue because they can be readily available at very low prices as compared to other regular mediums. Depending on the paint you are using you may add water but first, let’s go through this procedure:

• Since you are doing a trial test first, make sure you use little proportions. 
• Add four parts of Floetrol and one part of the glue. 
• Stir mix the solution or shake it and check in to ensure you have an even mixture.
• Elmer’s glue is the best to use. However, if you can’t readily find it, you can always get white glue. Since it also serves as a multipurpose glue. In addition, both Elmer’s glue and white glue are non-toxic. However, it is best to have gloves on to avoid uncomfortable staining of your hands.

How Do You Get Cells When Acrylic Pouring?

You get cells when acrylic pouring by adding a pouring medium to your acrylic paints. The best medium known for perfect cells creation is silicone oil. However, the density of the paint affects the consistency of the cells. Thus the trial errors help determine the right mixture for your art.

So if you need several cells you should consider using Floetrol and silicone oil on the acrylic paints. However, some paints constituents vary, so you don’t necessarily have to use both Floetrol and silicone oil, but whatever you use. You should at least have silicone oil in the mixture.

Nonetheless, you can also get the cells by pouring your paint and using a straw by blowing air on the paint strokes. It will help in creating new cell patterns in all different shapes and sizes. However, occasionally you may not want cells on your art but still, need consistent and beautiful art.  So in such cases, you should avoid using additives such as silicone oil, because it strengthens the cells.

Instead, you might want to consider using PVA glue. It creates no cells at all.

Last update on 2024-10-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Sources

• How to Use Pouring Medium When Painting with Acrylics
• Acrylic Pouring Medium Guide: Everything You Need to Know
• How to choose the best acrylic pouring medium
• View of handyman drip art wall painting closeup on section