How to do the fluid painting technique: 12 steps

Fluid painting is a fun artistic technique that uses diluted paints to create unique pieces, without the traditional brush. Paint is applied to a canvas by pouring, spraying, or using another dynamic method. Before applying fluid painting, prepare a clean workspace and install your materials. Check the paints, tools and techniques beforehand to get an idea of what you want to do. Use your creativity to choose the technique you will use to spread the paint on the canvas, move it, and create your final design. To personalize the experience, mix up your own fluid paints instead of buying them from an art store.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Organize Your Workplace

Step 1. Clean the surface of the space and cover it with plastic covers

It's important to clean your workplace before painting, as dust and dirt can easily adhere to slow-drying fluid paint. Sweep or vacuum the floor or counter on which you will place the canvas, cover the surface with clean plastic covers to protect it from stains and prevent your work from sticking.

Step 2. Order your supplies

The best canvas for fluid painting is a sealed panel, which can support the weight of acrylic fluids better than a traditional canvas can. Install it and place the paintings at a distance that you can reach with your arm. Order whatever dispersing tools you will be using to spread the paint.

You can buy paint and dispersing tools at an art store.
For best results, use a “smooth body” or “flow” acrylic paint. You can also mix acrylics in water to change their viscosity (thickness) and make them even more fluid.

Step 3. Check your paints and tools

Before starting a large fluid painting project, check your paints and tools on a small spare canvas to see what the results are. Different dispersion tools (eg spatulas or palettes) can leave unique traces in paint, and these paints can react with each other in different ways due to pigment concentrations, finish (eg matte, glossy) and density. Observe its appearance after allowing it to dry for several days.

Part 2 of 3: Apply the fluid paint to the canvas

Step 1. Set the angle of the canvas

If you want to control how the fluid paint disperses on the canvas, place it completely flat on your workspace. If you are interested in a specific drip effect, position the canvas straight up or at an angle. Use an easel or hold the canvas upright with something sturdy (eg a large piece of wood) to achieve the angle you want.

Step 2. Add a base shade to your canvas

Before you start fluid painting, consider painting your canvas in a solid paint color (or "base tone") to make the final result look more professional. To do this, use normal acrylic paint on an opaque color. Dip a large brush in the paint and paint the canvas with wide strokes, from left to right, trying to get the paint as smooth as possible.

Allow the canvas to dry for 2-3 hours before applying fluid paint

Step 3. Start painting on the canvas

How the paint spreads across the canvas will depend on the application method you use, the container from which you transfer it, and the angle and distance from which you are spreading. Most store-bought fluid paint is sold in flexible bottles with small nozzles that allow you to distribute them in fine lines. However, you can transfer the paint to any container of your choice to create your work. Some of the techniques to apply it to the canvas are:

pour (apply a good stream of paint on the canvas)
salpicar (pour a thin stream of paint)
drip (e.g. from a dropper)
puddle (apply a puddle of paint to the canvas and let it seep)
splatter (throw paint at the canvas, hard enough to bounce)

Step 4. Spread the paint with the tools as desired

Depending on the design you want to achieve, you can use dispersing tools or a paintbrush to spread the flowing paint across the canvas. For better control, spread or lightly move the paint in several thin layers. If necessary, keep an empty container nearby to collect excess paint from the canvas, using a spreading tool. clean.

Make sure your tools are completely clean before you start painting. Always clean tools with warm water and apply hand soap immediately after use, before paint dries

Step 5. Let the canvas dry between each coat

Flowable paint is very wet and requires more drying time than others. If you want to layer paint designs on top of other canvas jobs, allow each layer to dry completely for one to three days. Painting over other fluid paint that has not fully dried may cause the paint surface to crack or crack.

Part 3 of 3: Make your own fluid paint

Step 1. Choose containers for your paint

Look for flexible, transparent containers that allow you to see the color of the paint and spread it easily. Flexible bottles with nozzles (available from online and craft stores) are the most versatile options for fluid painting. Purchase the bottles in appropriate sizes for the amount of paint you will be preparing.

Step 2. Mix acrylic paint, acrylic medium, and water in a flexible bottle

To make fluid paint, fill each bottle halfway with the acrylic paint of your choice (available at art supply stores). Fill the other half of the bottle with equal parts water and acrylic medium (eg frosting liquid, also available at art supply stores). Make sure to keep these proportions of paint and water and acrylic medium, as over-thinning the paint could decrease its ability to adhere to the surface you will be painting.

Choose acrylic grade paint for artists, which has a higher concentration of pigment than students

Step 3. Mix the paint

Use a coffee remover or a small straw to remove the paint without creating air bubbles. You can also add a small ball to the container to help mix. Make sure the paint is completely mixed to avoid lumps or unevenness in the coverage.

Step 4. Store the paint

After making or using the paint, clean the nozzle and uncap the tip with a pin or toothpick to prevent clogging. Make sure it doesn't dry out. Remove the lid and place a small square of wrapping paper in the opening. Put the lid back on tightly.