Back to pouring onto tile again today and I’m using similar colors to the last one, still determined to get something that looks like a peacock. I’ve changed up just a little bit to a darker green and a darker blue. I’ll also pour a different way, with a flip cup in the center and white around as my negative space. This gives me the option of leaving it as negative space, tilting or even swiping. Given the unpredictable nature of pouring, I like to leave my options open.
But art being what it is, sometimes what you get is not what you expect. The more I looked at the finished result, the less I like it. I think I torched too much, and it always seems that when I do, the white comes through and dominates more than I would like. This time I think it actually drowned out the dark rich colors that I was looking for.
So I go to wipe the paint off, and then something surprising happens. Check it out. Now I love it!
Don’t you just love the mystery of this sort of art? Even if you use the same colors and techniques a dozen times over, you will get completely different results. Some you will love, some you will not. In this case, once I had started to clean the paint off the tile, I fell in love all over again. This one is now my hubby’s favorite. Like the crest of a wave he said, and actually said he liked it – high praise indeed from my husband. He’s hard to impress 🙂
Check out the slideshow for photos of the before and after!
After being told in high school that she was so bad at art that she should switch to another subject, Deby didn’t paint again for 35 years. Then a stroke released a new wave of creativity and she began exploring with dot painting, abstract and eventually acrylic pouring, and at last the joy of working with color returned. You don’t need ‘talent’ to be an acrylic pouring artist – just enthusiasm, some basic instruction, and a willingness to try, fail and try again. Paint along with her and learn from her many mistakes, and you’ll soon make great art together.
Will be trying this technique. I love it.
I love your demonstrations on this art form. I’m back to painting after a long absence from it and I find your work fascinating and beautiful. Plus I liked hearing your cat.
Thank you, Robin. My cat mostly sleeps so you won’t get to see him much but he can occasionally cause a ruckus!
Are you using tiles with a gloss, satin or matte finish? I can’t quite tell in the videos. Doesn’t look like you prime them with anything? You don’t have any issues with the paint sticking? I have read from other people that they have issues with the paint adhering and they can just peel it off. Thank you.
These are glossy tiles. Sometimes I’ll prime with gesso, but mostly they are intended as practice or experimental pieces and I just pour on the tile and can wipe it off if things don’t work out. I’ve never had trouble with the paint peeling so far. I do seal with 3 coats of this sealer and tell people they are not for use as trivets etc, just decorative.
I am so interested in the tiles. Do you just pick them up at a hardware store? And it looks like you put them on an easel. Have you ever tried mounting them differently?
I love the idea of experimenting and wiping the tile clean if I don’t like what I’ve done—after a bit of time to walk away y and come back to see it with new eyes. I wonder how to clean up in an environmentally friendly way as there appears to be quite a bit of wasted paint and the use of plastic (spoons, cups, etc.). I would appreciate any advice. Thanks!