How To Paint Pour Or Dirty Pour With Video Tutorial

This paint pour technique requires no harsh chemicals. The finished look is so fun too. I love how you can use multiple colors and different color combos to make each piece unique. Have you seen the “dirty pour” and the “acrylic pour art”  marbling projects that are flooding the internet? They’re kind-of hard to miss.

The marbled paint technique I used for this project is super easy because of the paint. Most of the faux marbling techniques start with acrylic paint and you add one or more chemicals to the paint. That’s a little scary for me. The FolkArt® Marbling Paint doesn’t have to be mixed with any chemicals. The mixing has already been done and the paint is non toxic. You simply pour on the specially-formulated acrylic paint and watch the magic happen.

I marbled a terra cotta pot and it is sooooo classy. It makes me smile,  and yes……do the happy dance. I made a video of the whole process. This is one of those techniques where a video is the best tutorial. I break the marbling technique down step-by-step in this post but there is nothing like seeing the paint pour in action. Ready to see what all the hype is about?

Are you smiling too? I thought so. The colors I selected for the pot works with all seasons and holidays. Since it’s Fall now (yay for cooler weather) I used the pot to showcase mums. Wait till you see how different the pot looks with white mums.

Because of the pouring technique I used and the color selection, the “marbling” looks different on all sides of the pot. You guys know how I love bold colors and the drab terra cotta pot never stood a chance.

How To Paint Pour - Faux Marble A Terra Cotta Pot

1. Select several FolkArt Marbling Paint colors for your pour.

It’s best if you have 4 or more colors. I choose 5 paint colors one of them being white. It’s good to always have white in the mix. You get a totally different look without the white. The photo below shows 9 marbling projects by 9 bloggers.

This marbled project display gives you an idea how much the marbling can vary. There are an endless number of paint combinations and designs. My project is the middle one on the bottom row. The other elements in the projects are geode crystals and Glitterific paint.

2. Set your paint pour project on a can, plastic paint pyramid, or something similar, to lift it off of the table surface.

The paints will need to drain off of the project and not pool around it. I turned the terra cotta pot upside down and set it over two stacked pint size paint cans. I also set everything inside a parchment lined cardboard box.

3. Pour the paints one by one into a plastic or paper cup.

Swirl them a little or use a popsicle stick ( or something similar) and stir just slightly. I didn’t really stir my paint I used the popsicle stick and basically just drew an x through the paints.

4. Pour the paint over your project.

I didn’t mix up enough paint the first time and had to do a second cup. Keep that in mind for your project. I just went around the pot pouring the paint. My pot isn’t completely covered on one side but that’s the way I wanted it. Once I was finished with the pour I let the paint drip off the rim until I couldn’t see any more drips then I ran my popsicle stick around the top of the rim to remove any excess paint.

How to paint pour acrylic paints on a terra cotta pot

5. Let the paint dry for 24 to 48 hours then seal.

Use FolkArt Acrylic Lacquers (Matte, Satin, or Gloss Finishes) or  with FolkArt Artists’ Varnish (Satin or Gloss). I sealed my marbled pot with one coat each of Mod Podge Outdoor and Mod Podge Gloss.

This marbled paint technique is only one type of paint pour. For instance on the 9 blogger canvas projects shown in the earlier photo we poured the paint on canvas then tilted the canvas every which way to get the paint to run.

I guess it would be good to explain why you can’t use just any paint for the pour method. Most paints when poured together will mix with each other instead of staying separate. The FolkArt Marbling Paint (find it here on Amazon) is a  fluid, medium-body paint that allows the colors to run separately and flow smoothly over a surface without over mixing or becoming muddy. Awesome.

Watch my video to see exactly how the paint pour works….

How To Paint Pour

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The following information about paint pouring is from the FolkArt Marbling Faq sheet……..

Direct Pour Method: Using two or more colors, simply squeeze the paint onto the surface. Paints can be poured in puddles, swirled into designs or even striped in straight lines. Once the colors have been applied to the surface so that most of the top surface area is covered, lift the surface and tilt it slightly allowing the paints to flow or run into one another. Change the tilt pattern continually to allow paint to flow in all directions. Additional swirling effects can be added with a toothpick, wood skewer, or point of a stylus.

Dirty Pour Method: Working one color at a time, pour several colors into a plastic cup. Paints can be added in any desired color order and amount. Once enough paint to cover the project surface has been added to the cup, insert a craft stick or wood skewer into the cup and give the paint one quick stir. Simply pour the cupful of paint over the surface. Then lift the surface and tilt it slightly allowing the paints to flow or run over the surface and mingle with one another.

How To Paint Pour The Easy Way

That’s it. What do you think of the marbling craze? Are you ready to try this technique? What do you think of my mum pot? Did you watch the video? Leave a note for me please. If you like bold colors and 30 minute projects you will love this one.....Confetti Coasters.

As always thanks for being here and have a great day, Kathy

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Plaid Crafts as part of the Plaid Creators program. All words, project ideas, and opinions are 100% my own.