Materials and Equipment for Fluid Art

My List of Fluid Art Materials

I thought I would do a quick blog on some of the Materials that I use for my fluid art Workshops so people who have been to them can reproduce what we do.  If you've never been to one of my Fluid Art Workshops I provide all of this so you don't have to buy in advance.

Paint 

I am not precious about the type of Acrylic Paint I use in my pours.  You can mix any acrylic based paint but heavy body paint is harder to mix without lumps.  The softer the paint (or more liquid) the easier to mix). 

I will often use cheaper brands... poured paintings take a lot of paint but cost isn’t my reason.  I found that some of these paint brands make excellent cells.  Thus I’d advise you to use any paint that is available to you, experiment… add a bit of glitz with some metallics, go for it, you will find out what works for you. 

Paint Surface and Levelling 

In the Workshop I will be using Canvases 40×40 cm Square and Push Pins to raise them.  I find that canvas board can warp as this is a very wet technique so I  only use it for small canvases.

When I am doing something large I prefer to work on wood either as a panel or cradled as I am concerned about the canvas dipping in the middle.  I prepare the wood with gesso. 

Ensure that the canvases you use are as taut as possible and they must be levelled with a Spirit Level. 

Pouring Mediums 

To make the paint fluid it is necessary to add a pouring medium.  I use Floetrol Waterborne Paint Conditioner and Liquitex Pouring Effects Medium as well as Silicone Oil to mix with the acrylic paint in combination depending on the technique I am using.

Trays 

You need to protect the area you are working on from dripping paint.  I use the base of dog trays!  They are waterproof and have a small lip to catch spills whilst allowing easy access for working with the paint. I spent ages trying to find suitable trays so thought you might like to know what I use. You can see one of the trays in the photograph above.  I line these trays with polythene for ease of cleaning but this also allows me to collect the paint left over as skins for jewellery.  

TIP: I also use these trays when I am using Resin.  I put one on top of the other using large pots to hold the top one above the painting. Finally wrapping it with plastic to form a tent to prevent dust. 

Other Consumables

There are many other consumables but essentials include  Vinyl GlovesGiant Lollipop Sticks Natural Wood, Disposable CupsChefs Larder Flexi Black Drinking Straws Approx 250 Straws, Kitchen Rolls and Baby Wipes.

Essential Tools

You will need various tools a hammer (if using push pins), spirit level and a blow torch (the type they use for culinary purposes).  

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