Swiping with or over Paints Compared

Acrylic pouring and swiping. Two different techniques for swiping acrylic paint compared side by side in this video tutorial.You may have noticed that I love to swipe. It gives me a certain degree of control over where my colors will be on the canvas and it’s the easiest way for me to get a gazillion cells with my colors. Some have been good, some have been glorious, but plenty have been bad too. It depends on several factors. There was one in particular that comes to mind that I didn’t like – this one where I swiped out from the center and with the paints (in the direction of the paint rather than across it.)

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So it can make a big difference to how the swipe looks depending on how you lay out the colors and how you swipe across them. I thought it would be useful to carry out a side by side comparison to help those who are interested in learning more about swiping and how it can create different effects. In this video, I swipe two similar projects, one with the paint, the other across the paint.

See how the results are strikingly different. No one way is right and another wrong, just different looks. You could even combine both within the same project to have more defined areas and more mixed areas of colors.

Check out the slideshow below for more images, both wet and dry, and some close ups of the details. Do you have a favorite way to swipe? What about tools? What do you like to swipe with? Those paint chip cards are really easy to use but of course they only swipe small areas at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions about Swiping with or over paints

1. What is the swiping technique in acrylic pouring?

 The swiping technique involves dragging or “swiping” a tool across the paint to create cells and patterns.

2. Can I use different tools for swiping?

 Yes, different tools like spatulas, paper towels, or palette knives can be used to achieve varying effects.

3. Is the swiping technique suitable for beginners?

 Absolutely, it is a basic technique in acrylic pouring suitable for artists of all levels.

4. Can all acrylic paints be used for the swiping technique?

Most acrylic paints can be used, but results may vary based on paint consistency and brand.

5. How can I achieve more cells with the swiping technique?

 Adding silicone or other cell-forming additives to the paint can enhance cell formation.

6. How long does it take for a swipe painting to dry?

Generally, drying time ranges from 24 to 72 hours based on paint thickness and environmental conditions.

7. Can I use a swipe technique with other pouring techniques?

A7: Yes, combining swiping with other techniques can create diverse and interesting effects.

6 thoughts on “Swiping with or over Paints Compared”

  1. I really enjoy your energy and have learned a great deal. Could you try a swipe with another color, such as blue to see what happens? Thanks again for being such a good teacher.

    1. I have tried with other colors in the past. I have a gold one HERE and one where I just swiped the whole thing without necessarily adding a specific swipe color HERE. Thanks for the kind comment.

  2. I agree with the rest of you about Deby’s Videos. Thank you for all the tips. I wish you all the best in your upcoming op & a speedy recovery afterwards.

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