Art is something I’ve always enjoyed doing in my spare time but haven’t always gotten the best results. Luckily this summer, with the help of my very artistic friend, I discovered how to make some beautiful paintings! They simply require a good attitude and a pretty mix of colors. These paintings are called “pour paintings” and are a type of abstract art that can easily liven up a space. You’ve probably seen them on your Instagram feed if you follow any art accounts. The best part is that they’re great decorations on a budget, and once you get a few materials, you can make set of paintings!
The only supplies necessary for this craft are canvases in the size you prefer, a few colors of acrylic paint, and some liquid glue and water to mix with the acrylic. No paint brushes required! My friend’s method for making the paintings includes putting the paint in separate cups, mixing in the glue and water with the paint until getting the desired consistency (a medium thickness that pours out slowly), alternating between the colors used, and moving the canvas around to reveal different patterns. As soon as you shift the canvas a little, the pattern can look completely different.
The mix of paint and glue ensures the layers don’t mix, and your colors don’t become muddy, while the water thins out the texture. If your consistency feels a little too thin, adding more liquid glue can fix it right up. As another option, you can also put the colors into one cup versus multiple cups. To give the painting a shiny finish, there is an optional use of a laquer. A lot of floor protection is definitely reccomended for this process because the pouring will get messy!
My paintings currently reside on my wall at college, and I love how they all turned out! My favorite color combinations include light blue mixed with different shades of pink, or black mixed with magenta, dark purple and light blue. They do take a long time to dry, but the end results make the waiting worth it. Each painting ends up completely unique and can surprise you with how amazing it turns out. With just a few basic supplies you can have a fantastic time, and for me, this is the perfect kind of night. Have fun and experiement with all of the colors!