What Supplies do I Need for Acrylic Pouring? (2025)

• Lisa
• March 14, 2025
• March 14, 2025

What Do I Need for Acrylic Pouring? Your Shopping List for Fluid Art Success

So, you’re ready to take the plunge into the wonderful world of acrylic pouring! That’s fantastic! But what do you actuallyneedto get started? It can feel overwhelming with all the choices out there.

I like to break it down into two categories to make it easier:

• The Basic Starter Kit:For the newbie who wants to “just try it out” (but trust me, once you start, there’s no turning back!). This will give you the essentials to see if you enjoy the process without a huge investment.
• The “I’m Addicted and Need to Try All the Techniques” Set:Because, let’s be honest, that’s where most of us end up! This is for the serious pourer who’s ready to experiment and push the boundaries of fluid art.

Basic Starter Kit:

This kit focuses on affordability and simplicity, allowing you to explore the basics of acrylic pouring without breaking the bank.

• Acrylic Paint Set:A set of at least 12 colors (around 75ml each) is a good place to start. Look for sets that offer a variety of colors to experiment with.
  • Tip:Inexpensive sets are fine for beginners, but be aware that the pigment concentration may be lower, resulting in less vibrant colors.
• Floetrol:A small bottle (around 100ml) will get you started. This is your pouring medium, which helps the paint flow smoothly and prevents cracking.
  • Note:Other pouring mediums like Liquitex Pouring Medium can also be used, but Floetrol is a popular and cost-effective option for beginners.
• Wooden Stir Sticks:Popsicles will do for mixing your paint and pouring medium.
• Silicone Oil:Check out your local drugstore for hair products with silicone oil. A few drops will help create cells in your pours.
  • Alternative:Some pourers prefer to use hair serum, such as Gliss Kur Liquid Silk, for creating cells.
• Disposable Gloves:Because cleanup is no fun. Trust me, acrylic paint gets everywhere!
• Mixing Cups:Plastic or paper cups for mixing your paints. Choose a size that’s appropriate for the amount of paint you’ll be mixing.
  • Tip:Clear cups are helpful for seeing the paint colors as you mix.
• Small Canvases:A set of 3 (around 20cm x 20cm each) is perfect for experimenting. These are a manageable size for beginners and won’t require a lot of paint.
• Small torch:For the cells!
• Protective Covering:Don’t forget to protect your work surface with plastic sheeting, newspaper (several layers. Liquid paint is… well liquid.), or an old tablecloth.

The “I’m Addicted and Need to Try All the Techniques” Set:

This kit is for the serious acrylic pourer who’s ready to invest in higher-quality materials and explore a wider range of techniques.

• Acrylic Paint Set:A set of at least 20 colors (around 250ml each). The more colors, the more creative possibilities!
• Black and white paint:Get a large jar for each! Black and white are essential for creating contrast and adding depth to your pours.
• Floetrol:A large bottle (1L). You’ll go through this quickly once you start pouring regularly!
• Liquitex Pouring Medium:A big bottle (946ml) of this stuff will last you a while. This is a high-quality pouring medium that provides excellent results.
• Large Canvas Set:A set with different sizes and forms. Round canvases can also be fun to work with, as well as other forms such as hearts.
• Wooden Stir Sticks:A bunch of them. I also used plastic knifes that I had left from a barbeque, you can literally use anything that you can stir with, as long as you can toss it away afterwards.
• Silicone Oil:Check out your local drug store for products with silicone oil.
• Disposable Gloves
• Mixing Cups
• Small torch
• Funnel Set:For creating interesting effects with different pouring techniques.
• Wool / metal chains:For creating textures and patterns in your pours with the technique “String pour”
• Balloons:For creating unique cell effects.
• Tape:For masking off areas of your canvas or creating geometric designs.
• Liquitex finishing spray:To protect your finished artwork and enhance its colors.
• Spatula:For different techniques and to get color out of cups.
• LevelYou will want to get a level so that your art is drying on a flat surface.