2 STUNNING Bloom Pours | Shelee Art Paint Pouring Technique (2024)

FAQs

What is the bloom technique in acrylic pouring? ›

The technique involves the use of three distinct layers, known as the Pillow, the Color Puddle, and the Cell Activator. They go in that order, and they cascade in consistency from thick to thin. The cell activator is blown out from the center, and it sinks into the colors in a pattern. This pattern is called Lacing.

Mix 1 part paint, 2 parts Acrylic Pouring Medium, and 1 part water if you're using standard, medium-bodied acrylic paints. This will make them more fluid, ideally the consistency of pouring cream. You can add more paint to thicken the mix, or more water to thin it.

The puddle pour is a more uniform method based on the traditional pour. Rather than pouring the colors randomly on the canvas, you pour “puddles” of each color. You expand each of these puddles by pouring additional colors into the center of the puddle.

The most reliable way to create cells in your acrylic paint pour is to use silicone or another oil additive. This will almost guarantee that you get cells in your fluid painting.

Stirring your colours too rigorously will create air bubbles so always take your time to gently mix them. Mixing your paints as far ahead of time as you can will reduce the number of air bubbles or white spots in your finished painting. White spots are caused by bubbles in the base coat popping through the paint.

Silicone Oil is one of the several ways to create cells in acrylic pouring. I consider it the easiest to grasp and use for beginners. One container will last you forever, as you are literally using it in single-drop increments.

Acrylic paint is mixed with water only to a fluid consistency. I add approximately 30-50% of water to my colors. There is no exact % or proportion because this ratio depends on initial paint viscosity, which significantly varies from brand to brand and even from color to color.

Suminagashi, which literally means "ink floating" is an ancient Japanese technique of painting on water. The ink or paint is then transferred to paper or another absorbent material and allowed to dry. This technique is often referred to as "marbling", as well as Ebru.

Wet-on-wet, or alla prima (Italian, meaning at first attempt), direct painting or au premier coup, is a painting technique in which layers of wet paint are applied to previously administered layers of wet paint.

What is the remedy for bloom in painting? ›

Slight blooming may be removed by the use of polishing compound, after the paint film has hardened, or by spraying the affected area with non-bloom thinners. In more severe cases, rub down the surface, and repaint using the correct grade or thinner or non-bloom thinner.

Silicone is a cell activator, technically floetrol is a pouring medium but it can also cause cells. Rubbing alcohol and dish soap can also be used as cell activators, though in my experience they're no where near as good as silicone.

The use of a heat source on the surface of an acrylic pour helps break the surface tension of the top layer of paint. This allows lighter weight colors rise through the heavier colors and it helps close air pockets and bubbles that may form. Heat also allows the paint to flow more rapidly.

Paint Mix Guide: How to Mix Paints for a Cloud Pour

The DecoArt Satin Enamel Cloud Effect is achieved by adding DecoArt Satin Enamel paint to the acrylic paints. White is the most common color since it gives the gorgeous white cloud effect but you can use any DecoArt Satin Enamel paint color.