Comments on: How to Prepare Acrylic Paint for Pouring https://leftbrainedartist.com/how-to-prepare-acrylic-paint-for-pouring/ An analytical approach to acrylic paint pouring. Wed, 25 Feb 2026 16:05:58 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 By: David Voorhies https://leftbrainedartist.com/how-to-prepare-acrylic-paint-for-pouring/#comment-8017655 Wed, 25 Feb 2026 16:05:58 +0000 https://leftbrainedartist.com/?p=742#comment-8017655 In reply to George.

I don’t gesso anything that is pre-primed. Sometimes I use a flood or base coat depending on how I want my painting to tilt and you definitely need some of a base coat to make an open cup work in general.

]]> By: George https://leftbrainedartist.com/how-to-prepare-acrylic-paint-for-pouring/#comment-8017654 Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:30:33 +0000 https://leftbrainedartist.com/?p=742#comment-8017654 Hi David valuable information you provided thanks! I’m new at this starting this week. My question is canvas prep. Do you recommend using Gesso on new boards even if pre-primed? If so, do you let it dry first and then start with my base & color mixes? I want to try an open cup technique first!

]]> By: David Voorhies https://leftbrainedartist.com/how-to-prepare-acrylic-paint-for-pouring/#comment-8017590 Sat, 10 Jan 2026 05:20:02 +0000 https://leftbrainedartist.com/?p=742#comment-8017590 In reply to Tina.

Heat helps as it breaks the surface tention on the pour and lets the silicone rise up through. You don’t need one but it helps.

]]> By: David Voorhies https://leftbrainedartist.com/how-to-prepare-acrylic-paint-for-pouring/#comment-8017589 Sat, 10 Jan 2026 05:19:08 +0000 https://leftbrainedartist.com/?p=742#comment-8017589 In reply to Tina.

I like 1 drop per 2 ounces (60 grams) of mixed paint. Leave the paint thicker and give them time to develop in between tilting. I don’t normally put silicone in to the heavy paints (titanium white etc.) or metallic paints.

]]> By: Tina https://leftbrainedartist.com/how-to-prepare-acrylic-paint-for-pouring/#comment-8017588 Sat, 10 Jan 2026 05:14:13 +0000 https://leftbrainedartist.com/?p=742#comment-8017588 David do I need to use a heat gun to make cells when using silicone oil?

]]> By: Tina https://leftbrainedartist.com/how-to-prepare-acrylic-paint-for-pouring/#comment-8017587 Sat, 10 Jan 2026 05:02:40 +0000 https://leftbrainedartist.com/?p=742#comment-8017587 Hi David just discovered your site,,,,fabulous. My question is about silicone oil. Do I add a couple drops to each color? I want medium to large cells. Also what happens if added to metallic paint? I understand metallics make cells by themselves.

]]> By: David Voorhies https://leftbrainedartist.com/how-to-prepare-acrylic-paint-for-pouring/#comment-8017586 Sat, 10 Jan 2026 04:16:39 +0000 https://leftbrainedartist.com/?p=742#comment-8017586 In reply to Tina Hubbard.

Holy crap that is a steal Tina!

]]> By: Tina Hubbard https://leftbrainedartist.com/how-to-prepare-acrylic-paint-for-pouring/#comment-8017585 Sat, 10 Jan 2026 03:48:56 +0000 https://leftbrainedartist.com/?p=742#comment-8017585 In reply to David Voorhies.

I purchased 3 ft x 4 ft canvas for $25 at local liquidation store.

]]> By: David Voorhies https://leftbrainedartist.com/how-to-prepare-acrylic-paint-for-pouring/#comment-8016207 Sat, 17 May 2025 15:44:29 +0000 https://leftbrainedartist.com/?p=742#comment-8016207 In reply to Dui win.

So glad this was helpful. Let me know if you have any more questions.

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