DIY Paint-Poured Homewares
I recently experimented with the popular technique of paint pouring to upcycle some pre-loved vases and coasters and give them a psychedelic new look. Paint pouring as a technique is relatively simple, but the results are so stunning and impressive! You can apply this technique to all sorts of different surfaces, from a flat canvas to 3D objects like I did in this project.
I would recommend starting with a flat surface if you’re new to the technique because it’s an easier process for beginners. I used the Officeworks Born acrylic paint range for this project, but really, any acrylic paint will do.
You Will Need
- Acrylic paint in assorted colours
- Paint pouring medium
- Acrylic sealant spray
- Old coffee cups for paint mixing
- Fine grade sandpaper
- Butcher’s paper, drop sheets or a plastic tub
- Stirring sticks/skewers
- Masking tape
Give each object a quick buff using the fine-grade sandpaper to help the acrylic paint to adhere to the surface of each object. Use masking tape to cover the back sides of any flat objects and the bases of any 3D objects (so they can sit cleanly and flatly).
Step 1
To prepare each colour for pouring, mix 2 parts pouring medium to one part acrylic paint in an old coffee cup. You’re looking for a smooth, runny consistency with each mix, with no lumps or air bubbles.
Step 2
Start by choosing your first colour. Pour a small amount of paint onto the flat surface and as it starts spreading, pour a second layer on in a different colour, and so on.
Step 3
Tilt and move the surface around to allow the paint to flow in different directions. You can also use a skewer to spread the paint around into psychedelic patterns. This also helps to get rid of any air bubbles that form on the surface as the paint pours.
Step 4
Wait for the object to dry completely. Then, remove the masking tape from the back and coat with a layer of acrylic sealant spray.
Paint pouring on 3D objects
Once you’ve mastered paint pouring on 2D objects why not give it a try on something 3D? To create these paint-poured vases I sat each upside down in a plastic tub (a plastic sheet will also work) and repeated the same technique. After they dried I prised them out of the tub and gave the tops a quick sand to smooth out the uneven paint.
A note on cleaning up acrylic paint
To avoid acrylic paint (which is plastic-based) entering our waterways, reduce the amount of paint getting washed down the sink. For this project I let all the paint dry completely, then wrapped it up and put it in the trash rather than rinsing things out while wet.
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This DIY project was sponsored by Officeworks- all design concepts and opinions are my own.
