I love pouring. It is the most satisfying medium I’ve worked with in a long time. The total surprise of what the outcome will be, is what I like best. Oh, and don’t forget about instant gratification. That is almost better than, well…you know.
Like many of you, I’ve done hundreds of paintings and not many sales. They hang on every wall in my home, are stacked on plant shelves, piled on the floor against a table, assembled on drying racks in my bedroom and loaded en masse on boards in the garage (ran out of adjectives). I’ve been getting overwhelmed with pour paintings.
You know these are not my home, right?
Supplies I used
I’ve tried selling them at craft fairs, have a few displayed in a restaurant, donated many to charities and have given some away, hoping to spark interest in my work—all the while dreaming of a future sale.
There are a few I really love and honestly don’t want to part with, unless someone were to offer me $5… ‘cause I am that desperate to make a sale.
Others are mediocre and would make a halfway decent painting if I hand painted something on top of the pour. And even more are just awful and I am tempted to throw them away. But…being the practical woman that I am, I save them because I know eventually I’ll come up with a creative use for them. No, seriously, I will. Look, I can quit anytime, I don’t need help.
Today is that day. I took out my huge bin of skins and went through them, looking for beautiful color combinations I could use to make some surfboards. I saw someone else do this on the Facebook Group—Acrylic Pouring and wanted to try it myself.
So as you can see, it wasn’t a masterpiece, but I did have fun. It actually got my creative juices going again and I am eager to get back to making some art. This has also piqued my interest in seeing what other pours I can embellish. Rather than churning out one step by step long video, I decided to just show you my final products.
Before and after of something that caught my eye and made me think of a bird of prey.
Forgot to take a ‘before’ photo of this one. The original pour was what you see in the top half. I hand painted the black areas and then added skins to what is supposed to be the water in the bottom section. This is definitely a learning process, I’d do it differently next time.
This was not a pour, but I did cut out a cat and apply it to a canvas that I had painted black.
I hope this inspires you to think of creative ways to use your skins by applying them to pour paintings you have lying about. I would love to see what you come up with because as I’ve said, I need to embellish quite a few and would love to borrow (steal) your ideas. Oh, and if anyone has an extra $5 of disposable income, hit me up, I’d be happy to relieve you of it!
I’m also in the market for some tips on how you sell these! And I know you do because every 10th post is “Just sold this one” or “These three sold as a set.” While I’m thrilled for you, I’m green with envy.
Born in France, Patricia now calls Palm Coast, Florida, home, where she runs Oceans Apart Studios. She’s had the pleasure of raising two daughters and nineteen medical foster children. Now she specializes in watercolor, acrylic pouring, and custom jewelry taken from the run off of her paintings. Her pieces aim to capture the differences that make each woman uniquely beautiful. Check them out on Etsy.
Hi , I love love love the red one with the black grass painted over it…. really beautiful… well done!!!! I am new at doing acrylic pouring…. still trying to figure out different tecniques and mediums to work with!!!! Love this kind of art!!!!
Hi Annemarie, thank you so much. Good luck with your pours.
Beautifully written and presented lesson.
Awwww Nerrida, you just made my day. Thank you.
Had you considered joining an Australian ( with a worldwide art audience) online gallery? Have a look at gallery247.com.au. Free for the base level. I have enjoyed your articles. Still experimenting and learning. But having such fun.
I just checked it out and it specifically says for “Australian Artists.” But thanks for thinking of me.
I too love the red one, with its overprinting in black, reminds of a night view of a summer wild fire after it has passed here in Oz. I,m very impressed with the cut out cat implanted on to the black . I think a lot could be done in this vane. I,ve not been very successful with pours so far, but will keep giving it a go. If I lived in the us. I would certainly be giving you a few five dolls notes. Congrats., on your good work.
Hi Christina, thank you so much for the very kind words. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions about pouring, I’d be happy to help.
I love your embellishments! I have a Silhouette Cameo cutting machine. Do you think it would work to cut skins?
Hi Dianne, I don’t know what that is. Guess the only way to know is to give it a shot. I would love to see you attempting it.
I’ve read it will cut polymar clay (before baking) so would think it would cut skins. Good idea as I have the same machine and have never used it.
Well if its sturdy enough to cut polymar clay, then it ‘might’ be too sturdy for delicate skins. I use an exacto knife when I make jewelry and just regular scissor when I play around like with those surf boards.
Did you ever try this? I am just learning about skins and am wondering the same.
Thanks for sharing. I’m new at this and appreciate new ideas. I just moved to Ormond Beach. Maybe I’ll see you at an art show???
Hi Dr. Faith, I’m sure you will love doing acrylic pouring. Hey, we’re neighbors.
You make lovely art, but you’ve also got a great sense of humor! You should write articles for artists or a column about art and make “both writing and art your creative venues.”
Yes, we creative souls are always striving to make money with our art. Guess we feel if someone buys it, that validates the reason for making it. But we must also realize that we benefit from the creative standpoint of “making the art”. It’s exciting to create!
We like (yes, “love” our time creating) and we even “love” most of our creations when we’re finished with them. If we don’t (hey, it’s only a little paint, and we can always re-create it!) Even though my art is now in galleries, universities and corporations, I hear the best place for sales is simply online. You inspire us and make us laugh. Maybe the term “art collectors” really means the artists themselves! (ha)
You make lovely art, but”…ARE YOU TRYING TO GIVE ME A FREAKIN HEART ATTACK? BUT? I saw that – ‘but’ – and had to walk away from my cell phone – which is difficult to do as it is surgically attached to my hand. When I finally drummed up the courage to see what sort of ‘nasty back handed compliment’ I was in store for, I went back to your comment and tentatively opened one eye and turned my head – in case I found the need to up chuck ( I’m a VERY sensitive person!).
Low and behold, that ‘but’ was followed by a very kind compliment. Wow, thank you.Then I kept reading and Pow, another pat-on-the-back. I was happy, but thoroughly confused because I was anxiously waiting for the sequel to the ‘but’. But it never came. Instead you gave me guidance and encouragement. You even backed it up with your impressive credentials which made the entire comment to me – GOLDEN!
I don’t know who the heck you are Donna Cariker, and I would LOVE to know you, but thank you ever so much for that ‘but’ (cuz now I don’t need to work out today) and for putting a smile on the face of this ole girl. Please send me links to your work. I’m sure I’m going to be your newest fan. 🙂
Since I’m new to paint pouring and skins, I didn’t know you were already well-known as a writer and video-maker! I’m so happy you have already been recognized for your talents. You are a natural in front of the camera and actually show an artist’s thought processes while creating. Your writing is both funny and informative. Many compliments, too, on your amazing art!
I looked up your work on Etsy and Oceans Apart Studio and love your beautiful pours. There are several pieces on the Oceans Apart Studio site I would like prices on. I didn’t see the same ones on the Etsy store site, so maybe you’ve already sold them?
As far as links to my work, I would be happy to send some email pictures since I haven’t created my own personal website. I’m one of those non-techs, therefore, websites haven’t been on my agenda. I send digitals to the galleries or take my art to them. One the galleries I’m with is in the process of creating individual sites for their artists. Meanwhile, if you would like to email me, we can discuss your pictures and I can email you pictures of my work, too. Thanks!
Ha ha, well known? Well I don’t know about that but thank you. I am so eager to learn which pieces caught your eye on my OAS Facebook page. Please feel free to send me a private message at [email protected] or https://m.facebook.com/Oceans-Apart-Studios-366895790380022/.
I live in Canada……….what are skins? Are they the canvases?
Many thanks for all your help. I love learning new things……….loved the B&W!
Going to do that right now !
Thanks again for your generosity in sharing.
Cecile
What are the skins made of.
Skins are what drips off your pours. You need to put something like butcher paper or plastic wrap, anything that your skins will peel off easily.
I love what you have published and I too am kind of new at this and learning fromAll of your kind comments and your paintings I have several that I would net never let anybody see See them and I have scrape them off or just simpsly Painted over the top so I’ve been great some of it not been so good don’t give up but keep trying I too love to work with the skins that result from the paintings and the beautiful jewelry which people lots of blessings to all of you who are willing to help the newbies
I just simply paint over the top and practice with its sub turned out great and some duct so keep up the work and keep trying and don’t be afraid to paint over them if you don’t like it
How do you attach the skins to the canvas?
Put them up for sale and offer a percentage to be donated to a charity, I noticed people buy things not because they need/want it but they feel the money is going to a wise cause..works for me!!