DIY Pour Painting

Written by Kimberly Coffin · This post may contain affiliate links · 378 Comments

Learn How to Create a Stunning Paint Pour Canvas the Easy Way in This Step-By-Step Photo and Video Tutorial Using Supplies from the local craft store.

DIY Pour Painting with JOANN featured by top US craft blog, Sweet Red Poppy

Paint pouring art is so trendy right now, and I've been dying to try my hand at it for the last few months.

Paint Pouring art with Color Pour created by American Crafts is easy to use and is perfect for beginners!

Watch the Video Below!

What makes this project so fun is there is no right or wrong way to do it; mix the colors, pour them onto the canvas and then let the paint flow!

Why Shop Through My Links?

When you shop through my affiliate links, it doesn't cost you anything extra, but it helps me out in a big way! I earn a small commission from those purchases, and that support allows me to continue creating and sharing free tutorials and patterns for you. Thank you so much for helping me keep this creative community going!

Pour Painting Supplies

Each bottle of paint comes perfectly proportioned with a pouring medium which saves you from having to premix the colors before pouring them. Each paint is highly pigmented, and a little bit goes a long way.

The best part about this project is it perfect for all ages and skill levels! It's easy enough that my kids even got to help!

What Is Acrylic DIY Pour Painting?

Acrylic Paint Pouring is a technique in which a variety of different colored paints that are thinned with a medium are poured onto a canvas or other object.

The canvas is tilted back and forth to intensify the layered effect of the paints. This process creates one of a kind artwork.

You can achieve this through a variety of different methods. There isn't one right way to do it so experiment and enjoy the process!

What is a Pour Painting Medium?

Color Pour premixes all of their paints with a pouring medium to give you the best results possible.

Adding a pouring medium to each paint keeps the paints from mixes completely with each other and allows them to flow easily across the canvas.

Prepare your Work Area

This project is so much fun to do, but it's also very messy. To keep the mess contained cover your working area with a large plastic drop cloth.

Once you have finished you can bundle up the drop cloth and throw the entire mess away for quick and easy clean up. Set everything up on a completely flat table.

Place 3 - 4 cups upside down on the table and set a stretched canvas on top of them. This set up allows the paint to drip off of the edges as it dries.

Lay out your cups, paints, canvases and palette knife on the table within easy reach.

Prepare your Paint

To begin, choose a color scheme. I decided on five shades of blue to create a wave-inspired painting; I also incorporated a gold paint and flakes to give the painting a bit of added glam!

The amount of paint you need for each painting will depend on the size of your canvas. I used a 9" x 12" canvas and each painting took one full cup of paint.

Begin by pouring a small amount of paint into each individual cup. *Make sure to shake each bottle thoroughly before pouring it.

DIY Pour Painting with JOANN featured by top US craft blog, Sweet Red Poppy: Acrylic Paint Pour American Crafts Color Pour Tutorial

In a new cup, pour the gold paint and then layer the paints from lightest to darkest. Do not stir the mixture!

Prepare The Canvas for Pour Painting

Now it's time for the fun part!

Pour the paint onto the canvas, I like to use a figure 8 as a rough pattern to follow as I pour the paint.

Once the entire cup is poured onto the canvas, it's time to start tilting the canvas back and forth. This allows the paint to flow back and forth and cover the entire painting.

Tilt the canvas in one direction at a time allowing the paint to flow towards one side of the canvas. Try to keep the majority of the paint on the canvas.

The further you allow the paint to tilt the more variations in colors will appear.

If you are struggling to cover the entire canvas you can always add more paint to the center or to the corners.

Once the entire surface is covered (including the sides of the canvas) set the canvas on the upside down cups.

If you have an edge that isn't covered by paint, dip the palette knifeor a gloved finger into the paint cup and smooth on a small amount of paint onto the sides.

Use a palette knife to clean up any paint drips on the backside of the canvas.

Add the Finishing Touches to your DIY Pour Painting

Add a bit of sparkle while the painting is still wet. I used a jar of gold foil to add extra dimension and sparkle to my paint pour art.

Follow the lines of gold paint in the painting and sprinkle the gold foil a few inches above to add dimension.

For more precise placement of the gold foil, use a pair of tweezers.

Allow the artwork to dry for at the very least 1 day.