How to Do Dutch Pour Painting?

How to Do Dutch Pour Painting

Art is dynamic, coming in various styles. Usually, when working with fluid-like acrylic paint, artists tend to employ various techniques in bringing their ideas to life. A fun acrylic painting style that you can try out is the Dutch Pour Painting. You will find out in detail what a Dutch pour is, a recipe for dutch pour painting, and how to do your very own dutch pour acrylic painting. So, What is Dutch Pour Painting?

Here is a quick answer to what I’ve found:

Dutch Pour is simply a technique used in acrylic painting where you can use air to manipulate paints on a canvas or any other surface. This painting technique doesn’t require much creativity and can be fun. You need just about the same supply of fluid art to do a Dutch Pour Painting.

It doesn’t matter if you are not good at drawing or get messy with paint. You can still make something pretty using the Dutch pour painting technique.

Follow along and discover the recipe for Dutch Pour painting.

What-is-Dutch-Pour-Painting

What Supplies Do You Need for Dutch Pour Painting?

Here are some Dutch pour painting supplies you need to get:

Acrylic Paint

Acrylic Paint is the most base supply you need for your Dutch pour painting. Acrylic paint is very popular in fluid art as it can be used on almost any surface with a long-lasting effect. There are various types of acrylic paint available for use. Student grade, Soft Body, and Heavy Body acrylic paints are great choices for a painting project. Liquitex Basic is popularly used by dutch pour painting artists.

Pouring Medium

Acrylic paints in their original form do not have the right consistency for Dutch pour painting. Hence, to create amazing fluid art, you need a pouring medium that helps improve the consistency of the paints. There are various pouring mediums available such as Floetrol, Liquitex, etc.

While some artists only use water as a pouring medium, this is not advisable as water can affect the outcome of the painting. It would help if you had your acrylic painting at a honey-like consistency for a great result.

This helps the paint to adhere more to the surface of your canvas.

Here is 12 x 24 Acrylic mixed medium on canvas:

Canvas/Painting Panels

This is the surface that holds your masterpiece. Dutch pour painting can be done on almost any surface. However, it needs to be properly prepped for acrylic painting.

Pouring Accessories

You’ll need something to mix and pour your painting on the intended surface. Disposable cups are an excellent choice for this purpose. They are quite easy to hold, and you can easily control the amount of paint that gets on the canvas. To ensure the acrylic paints are correctly mixed, you can use spatulas or palette knives.

Air

Dutch pour is all about using air to make abstract paintings. This means you need a way to blow air on your painting. There are various ways you can get this done. 

1. Blow dryer

This is usually available in most homes and can be an efficient tool for Dutch pour paintings. It would be best to make sure this equipment is blowing correctly and in the right direction. Also, a common problem encountered with the blow dryer is their tendency to blow dust on the painting. This can be avoided by making sure the dryer filter is free of debris before use.

2. Airbrush

This is another great tool you can use for your fluid art. It is very easy to control. When aiming at details in your painting, the small nozzles present in airbrushes can help you achieve this. However, getting an airbrush can be an additional cost, especially if you do not need it after painting.

3. Straw

Sometimes you don’t have an airbrush or a blow dryer lying around. An easy and natural method you can employ is blowing with your lungs. While you can do this with just your mouth, using a straw helps give the air a more precise direction. This might not be effective for large pieces; however, you can use the straw to give the edges a good finish.

4. Air compressor

It is an excellent choice for those that already have this equipment at home. The air compressor gives a never-ending supply of air with pressure that surpasses that of a blow dryer.

However, this option is not cost-effective for those that don’t have this equipment already. While some portable air compressor is available, you might not need this if you don’t plan to do Dutch Pour painting often.

5. Canned air

Canned air is another affordable and easily accessible option for blowing dutch pour paintings. You should pay attention while using canned as it can be pretty powerful. Hold the can some few inches away from the paint to keep it in check.

How Do You Prepare Dutch Pour for Painting?

Mixing paints for your Dutch pour painting are no easy feat. It can be pretty technical, mainly because the outcome of your painting is highly dependent on how good a mix you have.

Step 1: Get a disposable cup for this.

Step 2: First add a scoop of acrylic paint, then add about 250ml of pouring medium and mix with it. Depending on how thick the paint you are using is, add more medium if needed. You can add a little water.

Step 3: Mix well with a spatula until you obtain a honey-like consistency. Ensure bubbles are not present in your mixture.

Step 4: Leave the mixture for a while to get rid of all bubbles.

Here is a dutch pouring painting called “The Garden” from Twitter:

How to Do Your Dutch Pour Painting?

Explained below are steps you need to take to perform your Dutch pour painting from start to finish.

Step 1: Preparing your painting surface

Getting your painting surface ready is an essential step in this process. As mentioned above, there are various surfaces you can use for your Dutch pour painting.

However, the most common surface is the canvas. It needs to be correctly primed for acrylic painting before pouring. Stretched canvas often needs to brace from the back due to the hollow recess present between the stretchers. This will help even out the surface.

Step 2: Elevate your board

Ensure your canvas is placed on a leveled surface to maintain proper flow. This is fluid art which means there will often be excess paint flowing down the sides. Elevating the canvas will keep it away from the excess paint. You can use jars, tables, or any other solid platforms for this.

Step 3: Ensure the surface is clean

You should make sure your painting surface is free of dust or other particles before you start painting. Remove dust with a clean cloth. Also, remove any grease from the surface if present.

Step 4: Choose your colors combinations

Here you choose the colors you wish to use for your painting. This will be majorly based on your personal preference. Although adding all your favorite colors in the mixture might be tempting, starting with a few colors is advisable. There is always the option to add more colors as you proceed. This will help you maintain balance, ensuring you don’t add colors unnecessarily to the mixture.

Step 5: It is time to pour

Now, here comes the fun part. After you’ve gotten all your Dutch pour painting supplies, properly mixed your colors, and have primed the surface, you intend to use. The next step is to start painting. Follow the simple steps below to carry it out.

– Choose your colors and mix each of them in a disposable cup. Use a pouring medium. Fleotrol is an excellent option for this.

– Next, you need a negative space color as the base. This can be white or black. Spread your chosen color on the surface until a thin layer is formed.

– Get rid of any air bubbles (Use a torch if necessary).

– Pour the colors you’ve mixed on the canvas. Ensure you pour far from the edge.

– Using a blow dryer or any other means, blow the colors out. You can start with the negative space color.

– Add finishing touches using a straw. You can use this to work on the details and even out the edges.

Step 6: Dry

When you are done painting, you need to leave it to dry. Ensure you place it in a place where it won’t be disturbed. Any bumps to the structure can cause the patterns to move. However, you should note that the final product might look a bit different when it finally dries. 

Recipe for Dutch Pour Painting (for Beginners)

  • Acrylic Paint (2 ounces)
  • Pouring medium (2 ounces)
  • A little bit of water (about a teaspoon)
  • Stir until honey-like consistency is achieved. 

What Type of Paint is Best for Dutch Pour Painting?

Acrylic paints are the best for this type of painting. There are various types of this painting. As mentioned in this article, any of them can be used for Dutch pour painting. All you need to do is make sure it has the right consistency. 

Can I Do This without a Pouring Medium?

This is possible, however, it is not advisable. Ditching a pouring medium means you have to mix your paint with quite some water. Water tends to affect the outcome of a Dutch pour painting, and you might not like the result it gives you. Use a pouring medium to get the best result.

How long does Dutch pour painting take to dry?

Dutch pour painting takes approximately 24 hours to dry. If you apply the paint film in thick layers, you may need to wait longer, even up to 72 hours. However, once the Dutch pour painting is fully completed, you should let the project dry for this duration before touching it.

How much acrylic paint do I need for Dutch pour?

Sometimes, it depends on what you seek to achieve in your project. If you’re looking for fluid or flowy pour paint, your acrylic paint needs will differ from someone who seeks thick paint. However, on average, you’ll need 2 ounces of acrylic paint to have a brilliant appearing Dutch pour painting. 

How much floetrol to use for Dutch acrylic pour?

You will need about 2 ounces of Floetrol to use for your Dutch acrylic pour. Floetrol is a water-based conditioner and it serves as an exterior emulsion. They’re also excellent as an interior emulsion or acrylic paints. As a water-based paint medium, Floetrol will make your acrylic paint act as if it’s oil-based.

Can you use house paint for Dutch pour?

Yes, you can use paint meant for the house exterior for any Dutch pour techniques. However, it depends on whether the paint is acrylic or latex. Acrylic paint is an excellent choice to use for painting the Dutch pour. The reason behind this is that acrylic paint is chemical-based. This makes it a suitable option. 

How to mix paint for Dutch pour painting?

You’ll also need the following materials and supplies:

  • Water
  • Acrylic paint
  • Acrylic paint medium
  • Masking/painter tape
  • Thumbtacks
  • Cup
  • Canvas surface
  1. Prepare the canvas surface: Preparing the canvas is the first stage. Measure the canvas dimension and tape the spine. You can tack the edges of the canvas surface.  
  2. Pick and Mix Acrylic paint: You can mix the paint using the painting pouring recipe. Hold a cup, pour a little paint and medium, and add some water. Also, make a composition using a vibrant color combo. 
  3. Layer paint in the cup: layer a cup on the paint to pour the paint. Do the pouring gradually by starting with the first, second, and third colors. Repeat the process until 
  4. Flip or tip the paint

The layer you paint cup with paint colors. You can either flip or tip. Flipping starts by turning the canvas upside down. Then, hold the glass against the canvas while you flip the canvas. Allow the paint to drip down as they leave the glass for some seconds. The paint will start flowing once you pick up the glass.

How do you mix water for Dutch pour?

Get some water and mix ¼ parts of it to a ratio of one part of the paint and ½ part of a medium, like floetrol. This way, your paint can act like watercolor. Continue the mixing until you get a consistency that looks like warm honey. In the end, you can add 3-4 drops of silicone oil. 

What to use for seal Dutch pour paintings?

Here are the supplies for sealing Dutch pour paintings:

  • Liquitex gloss varnish
  • Polycrylic finish
  • Paintbrush 
  • Silicone makeup sponge
  • Clear brushing lacquer
  • Folkart Home Décor 

Can you do an acrylic pour without floetrol?

Yes. The thing is that you don’t need to use floetrol. While it is necessary to use a pouring medium for an acrylic pour, it’s not necessary that you opt for floetrol. There are other pouring medium options out there.  

Can you use a hairdryer for acrylic Dutch pouring?

Yes, you can use a hairdryer for the acrylic Dutch pouring technique. In fact, it’s been recommended as the best tool for this purpose. The reason is that the hairdryer gives off 140°C, which is the maximum temperature it can produce.  

How to use the hairdryer with Dutch pour?

Using a hairdryer for a dutch pour is cost-efficient and is less noisy. The hairdryer is very accessible, and you probably have it at home. Get a funnel attached to the hairdryer and direct the air to where you want it to blow too. Clean the dryer filter, free from dust, debris, and hair 

Can you use tempera paint for Dutch acrylic pouring?

Yes, tempera paint produces the same visual effect as acrylic paint. Yet, it comes as a cheaper and more affordable option than acrylic paint. If you’re up for crafting with a large group, this is the best paint to use. 

 How to make more giant cells in acrylic Dutch pouring?

To make bigger cells in acrylic Dutch pouring, mix acrylic paint with pouring medium. As an extra, you can add some silicone oil to it. After this, try to pour the mixture through your preferred technique to the canvas surface. 

How do Dutch pour on tiles?

  • Clean the surface of the tile as well as the grout lines.
  • Using a scrub brush, agitate the surface of the tile. Alternatively, you can use 100-grit sandpaper for sanding the tile’s surface.
  • Make sure you rinse the surface well with clean water.
  • Dry the tiles very well to get rid of all dirt or debris. Start to apply the dutch pour on the tiles.
  • Do you need to paint your canvas when doing a Dutch pour?

No. It’s not necessary that you paint your canvas when doing a Dutch pour. There’s a danger if you do. A painted canvas for a Dutch pour will wash off and prevent it from sticking to the surface when it dries.

What color to choose for an acrylic pour?

You can use a wide variety of colors for an acrylic pour. You can choose primary, secondary, or tertiary colors. Alternatively, you can also opt for a group of colors, including neutrals, warm colors, or cool colors.   

Which is thicker in a Dutch pour, the basecoat or color paint?

The base coat is usually thicker than color paint. It comes with 3 inches and can be compressed on a roller with a heavy ride. It consists of asphalt (about ¾) when processed.

What kind of blow dryer is used for Dutch pour painting?

A heat-sensitive blow dryer that’s will distribute heat evenly to every part of your dutch pour painting is considered the best blow dryer. 

What is the paint consistency for the Dutch pour technique?

Having a creamy liquid consistency for your dutch pour technique produces a great visual and color effect for your painting. 

What are some tips for Dutch pour painting?

  • Make sure you cover the entire canvas  
  • Make the base coat thicker than color paint
  • Be generous when using a base coat
  • Blow from the inside out to ensure even a circle variation
  • Add finishes to the edges of the paint

Can you use a blow dryer for dutch pour painting?

Yes, you can a blow dryer for dutch pour painting. It’s sensitive to heat and will blow the air evenly. 

How to do dutch pour painting for canvas borders?

  • Mix your paint colors
  • Pour the space color on the canvas surface
  • Cover in a thin layer
  • Pour air bubbles
  • Pour dutch paint colors onto the canvas borders

How many different ways to do a Dutch pour painting?

There are a few ways you can do a Dutch pour painting. You can use an air compressor, airbrush, blow dryer, straw, or canned air. The result you seek will determine the technique you opt for. However, any of these ways is suitable for a dutch pour. 

How to finish a Dutch pour painting?

  • Allow the paint to dry
  • Clean the surface of debris and dirt
  • Remove oils and additives
  • Apply the finish

Can you use silicone in Dutch pours?

Yes, you can use silicone lube in Dutch pours. This is due to the lubricant’s remarkable properties. Silicone lube is famous for acrylic painting because it’s durable, neutral, and predictable. Besides, the substance is also non-drying, greasy, and oil-based.

Can you make money in Dutch pour art?

Absolutely! You can make a lot of money in Dutch pour art. The truth the salability of your art depends on the quality of the project. The good news is that Dutch pour is an amazing artistic medium loved by aspiring artists, journeymen, and professionals. If your work comes out excellent, with great size and quality, you man a fortune from Dutch art.

What is the difference between acrylic pour and Dutch pour?

Acrylic pour painting and a Dutch pour are typical in that they both come from acrylics. However, an acrylic pour is a flow art and fluid painting method that’s used when you want to pour acrylic paint on canvas. On the other hand, a Dutch pour is an art that relies on air to paint on a canvas. Acrylic is a fluid air with smooth swirls and bright colors. A Dutch pour uses lungs, straw, or hairdryer.  

Can you do a Dutch pour on a dry canvas?

Yes, you can use a Dutch pour on a dry canvas. But, if don’t gesso your canvas, the surface will absorb a lot of paint. The effect will be harder to paint with hard-to-control edges. As a recommendation, always try to gesso your canvas and make it a little damp.

Why did the Dutch pour crack?

Cracks occur on your Dutch pour when the underlay of the paint dries slower than the topmost layer. The science is simple: the underlying layer draws the semi-hardened skin that lies at the top layer as it dries. It happens at a high force, leading to a crack when this happens.  

How thin should the paint be for Dutch pour?

On average, the paint for your Dutch pour should be thin. The thinness depends on the volume of the medium you add. You should mix more than 20% of the medium with your Dutch pour paint.

How do you get cells in acrylic pour without silicone?

There are other ways to get cells in acrylic pour without using the silicone medium. You can get the cells by opting for isopropyl alcohol, latex paint conditioner, fluid acrylic color, acrylic pouring paint, or treadmill belt lube.

Did I cover all you wanted to know about Dutch Pour Painting?

Dutch pour painting is such a fun thing to do. Whether a beginner or an expert artist, Dutch pour painting is often an exciting endeavor. This is because you cannot predict the outcome of your painting, and it is challenging to replicate your work. So, you are sure of a unique outcome each time you give this a try. 

Here is an Acrylic Pouring Technique video for beginners:

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