Acrylic Pour Painting for Beginners

In this course, students will learn the basics of paint pouring and how to achieve the desired visual effect through different pouring techniques.

This is a self-paced course and there are no live meetings. Weekly video lessons will be posted in the classroom and students will interact by posting photos of their weekly work and commenting (positively) on others' creations. The teacher will assist the students by providing positive commentary, troubleshooting paint issues, and recommending different techniques.

Lesson 1: Setting up, mixing paint/additives, mastering the basic puddle pour.
Lesson 2: Expanding our horizons with the dirty pour and flip cup pour.
Lesson 3: Using negative space and manipulating your paint (dirty/flip cup methods)
Lesson 4: Double flip cup with contrasting colors. 

Learners are welcome to post a picture of their painting in the classroom and comment on other paintings. You may use any or all of these discussion prompts:  1) something positive about the piece (use of color, technique, etc.) and 2) what they "see" in the painting or how it makes them feel. Students are also welcome to ask questions about troubleshooting and techniques.

Required Materials:
*Acrylic paint - I strongly recommend getting a wide variety of craft paints. These can be found for $1 or less in most craft stores. I typically use 6-9 colors per piece, plus black or white (you will need a lot of white, so get the big container!)
*Wooden framed canvas (like the kind you hang on a wall) - DO NOT USE CANVAS BOARD!!!! I found out the hard way. The edges will curl and it will ruin your painting.
*Pouring medium (About an ounce per color, per painting) - For those starting out, I highly recommend using a mixture of water and Elmer's Glue. (We will go over the ratio in class.) Floetrol Paint Conditioner is another excellent choice for beginners. Once you have mastered your technique, you can invest in Liquitex Pouring Medium.
*Plastic cups or something to mix paint in - You can use almost anything! Yogurt cups, baby food jars... Whatever you don't mind having paint in and/or is disposable. You will use about 6-10 cups per piece, so plan accordingly.
*Craft sticks/Paint mixers - I use popsicle sticks from the Dollar Store, but you can use anything from plastic spoons to straws. They will get messy!
*A large work space AND drying space that is covered with plastic. Pieces take about 48 hrs to dry, so you will want to leave it somewhere that it won't be disturbed. You can buy cheap plastic sheeting or use a garbage bag to cover your area.

Optional, but highly recommended
*Plastic gloves! I kind of consider this required, as your hands will get super messy, but you can technically paint without them.
*Additives - You can achieve all kinds of really cool effects with some basic paint additives. I use silicone lubricant (treadmill lubricant found on Amazon), rubbing alcohol, and dish soap.
*Metallic paints - These can be found in the craft stores as well, but may be closer to $2. They can add a nice accent to your paintings and I like to use them often. I list them as optional due to the price difference.
*Plastic straw - I use this in week 3 to manipulate my paint.
*Basket/Drip tray - This is used to prop your canvas and catch extra paint. (You can also use plastic cups to prop your canvas.)

Please note that this is a MESSY process! Younger students are always welcome to participate, but they may need parental assistance. Students who are sensory averse/avoiders should note that you will likely have paint touching your hands and arms, even while wearing gloves. All students (and adult helpers) should wear old clothing and work on a covered surface.