The History of Fluid Art

The technique of liquid acrylic painting was first used by the Mexican artist David Alfaro Siqueiros in the 1930s. He is considered to be the first to experiment with liquid acrylic and discovered unusual effects when fluid colors interact. He called this effect "accidental painting". This technique became the basis of the works of some famous artists, such as Jackson Pollock, who started with "accidental painting" and developed his technique, becoming the most famous abstract expressionist.

Fluid art is a new kind of painting that could not have appeared without the invention of acrylic paints. Acrylic paints, unlike oil paints, are water-soluble. In general, since the late nineteenth century, several revolutions have taken place in the world of painting, which have forever changed the methods and techniques of painting. Previously, mixing paints required extraordinary technical skills and artists made them themselves using their own recipes. Later, oil paints were sold in tubes and synthesized compounds were used as pigments. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Otto Röhm invented acrylic resin, which quickly turned into acrylic paint. This revolutionized the art world and made it possible to acquire a more affordable and less complicated medium for work. Acrylic paint soon gained popularity and became the most popular paint in the world. Acrylic paints are used for painting, fabric decoration, interior design, etc.

Dutch Pour

Paints of different colors are mixed in separate cups. The canvas is filled with a background paint, most often white, which is distributed over the entire surface. Next, the paint is applied to the canvas in lines or puddles, after which more background paint is poured on the sides of the line to facilitate blowing. Most often, the paint is blown with a hairdryer, directing it in different directions. Then, the resulting drawing can be corrected by breathing. The result is very beautiful and delicate. In order to get cells on the colored stains, you can heat it with a construction hairdryer or a burner, use a special medium, or simply add silicone to one or all of the paints.

There are a variety of techniques for pouring fluid art. For example:

Puddle Pour Flip Cup

The key to creating a work is layering colors. Prepared paint of one color is poured onto the canvas in the form of an even, neat puddle. The first color creates a base, in the center of which a smaller amount of prepared paint of another color is poured, and then another. However, it is important not to overdo it with the number of colors. Ideally, use three or four colors. In addition, white will look good in any combination. You can stretch the pattern across the canvas with rocking movements or blow the paint with a hairdryer.

Paints of different colors are mixed with a medium in separate cups and then poured into one glass. But using this method, the colors do not need to be mixed. You can also add a drop of silicone oil to create "cells". Put a canvas on top of the glass, then turn it over and slowly lift the glass. Then you need to move the canvas smoothly so that the paint is evenly distributed on the surface. Also, instead of pulling the cup straight up, you can quickly pull it at an angle to prevent drops from falling on the filled painting.

Dirty Pour

Paints of different colors are mixed with medium and other auxiliary substances in separate cups and then poured into one cup. In a separate glass, the colors need to be mixed a little and poured onto the canvas in one motion. Then you need to smoothly rotate the canvas so that the paint is evenly distributed on the surface. When the picture stretches, you will see patterns appear in the paint. This technique is very similar to Flip Cup, with the only difference being that the colors in Dirty Pour are mixed, while in Flip Cup they are simply layered on top of each other.

How to start creating Fluid Art paintings

To get started, you need to purchase all the necessary materials and prepare them in advance to concentrate on your creativity and not be distracted in the process. To create a painting using the Fluid Art technique, you will need acrylic paints, medium (you can replace it with water or PVA glue), and canvas. Before you start applying liquid acrylic, you need to prepare the canvas. To do this, you should completely paint it with undiluted acrylic paint. You can paint the canvas with white paint, or choose another color that will become the background for your painting. You need to choose a color palette. You can use a few colors, or ten. Choose at your own discretion. I recommend looking at works on websites or social media and getting ideas for your palette. To prepare the paints, pour the required amount of paint of the selected colors into separate glasses and mix with water, medium, or PVA. Depending on the painting technique you choose, you can either leave each color in different glasses or mix all the colors in one glass. Using the technique, start creating a painting. To protect your painting, you can then varnish it. Allow the painting to dry completely so as not to spoil the composition, and cover it with a thin layer of varnish with a wide brush. Your artwork is ready!