The first time I heard the term, dirty art pour, I was intrigued. Seriously, how could you not be with a name like that? And the more I learned about it, the more I wanted to try it. After one pour, I was hooked!
Okay, so what the heck is dirty pour art? Dirty pour painting is a term for combining more than one pre-mixed paint color in the same container before pouring it on a canvas. When you pour the paint on the canvas, you’ll create a puddle of color. Then when you tilt the canvas, the colors move and create interesting shapes, marbled effects, and beautiful lines. And here’s the thing: It’s a total blast to make.
If you have ever wanted to DIY a painting but felt intimidated because you lack artistic skills, the dirty pour technique is for you. Here’s how you do it.
Materials:
- Acrylic paint
- Liquifax Pouring Medium
- 100% silicone
- Canvas
- Disposable cups
- Sealant (optional)
Directions:
Step 1: Prepare paint. Depending on the size of your canvas, you may need more paint. My canvases were 8×10. For an 8×10, canvas, pour about two tablespoons of paint into each cup. I used seven bright colors.
Step 2: Pour 1/4 to 1/2 cup pouring medium into each cup, and stir the paint around. Next, add three drops of silicone into two colors. This will make “bubbles” of color on the painting. You do not need silicone in all the colors—one or two is good.
Step 3: Pour all the colors into one cup. Do not mix the colors. Leave them as they are poured.
Step 4: Pour the paint on the center of the canvas. It will create a beautiful puddle of colors. You may save a little paint in the cup in case there’s a part of the painting where you want more colors that did not form with the initial pour.
Step 5: Carefully tilt the canvas all around to move the paint. Watch what the colors do, and let the areas with the best color grow across the canvas. As you tilt, let the excess paint run off the canvas. It’s really fun to see what the colors do. They make stunning patterns.
Step 6: Once the canvas is covered, and you have the look you want, set the canvas down on a rack, or propped up on disposable cups on all four corners. There is a lot of paint, and you don’t want it to stick to anything, so find a way to prop it up. I used a Starbuck’s to-go drink tray, and it worked out perfectly.
Step 7: Display your beautiful art! Tip: After a week’s time, you can spray your one-of-a-kind art with a sealant.
