Hobby: Fun with Acrylic Paint! · Society of Ordinary Gents

Hobby: Fun with Acrylic Paint!

Of all the things I wish I'd explored more in my 20s, art is another favorite physical hobby of mine.

Paint Night events are especially fun. Nothing quite like a brush in one hand and a glass of wine in the other with a potential new contact to either side of you. Let alone the feeling when you look at what you just created.

As with my pizza recipe post, this isn't just show and tell. It's show, tell, and encourage to do your own. I'll start with a very simple exercise that anyone can do, and the results are always mind-blowing.

Go to your local Michael's or other hobby store, buy a pack of canvases (any size works, but best to buy in bulk... a pack is maybe $8-$15). As for paints, go to the acrylic section and look specifically for "spin/drip/pour". This kind of acrylic runs more easily, which is what you want. Buy anywhere from 2-6 colors or more, but for the purpose of this project, 2-6 work best. These are between $3-$12 per bottle (Amazon has good starter packs for around $15-$30). Don't worry about brushes.

Get a plastic garbage bag, large piece of cardboard, paint tarp, newspaper, etc., anything you don't mind getting paint on. FYI, acrylic is water-soluble (but still best to wear old clothes or an apron).

Spread the garbage bag/tarp/etc. flat on an even surface (coffee table works). Lay the canvas flat and centered on the tarp/bag/etc. No need to wet the canvas first.

Just take one color at a time, and drip it onto the canvas. Drip patterns or even names or other words with it. One color, then the next, then the next, each time trying not to go over existing paint/aiming for blank spaces. It's okay if there are still gaps of unpainted canvas; goal is to cover about 80%-90% of it.

Then, pick it up (keep it mostly horizontal) and slowly tilt it in different directions (while holding it over the drip area). Pay attention to how quickly the paint spreads and how the patterns start blending and curving around each other, and manipulate the movement of the paint accordingly. Do this from different angles until all the paint has spread over the canvas, and even down the sides.

Yes, you'll get paint on your fingers. That's part of the fun! You can also use those fingers to dab small spots lacking paint, or trace along the border for a more finished look. Can keep wet wipes, rag, paper towel, etc. handy (and probably should anyway, just in case).

Once you're satisfied with how it looks, lay it flat again and let it dry for 2-3 days. After it's dry, cut the excess spillage with a box cutter or other sharp blade, and turn the painting until you find which way you like most to hang.

Please let me know how it goes and feel free to share your results!

Tip #1: If making for yourself to hang at home, look around at the colors around you. That might help you not only choose colors, but tie the room together better. The white and gold/copper one I made to match my Christmas tree, stockings, tree skirt, etc. and still looks great without the holiday items.

Tip #2: After cutting the excess spillage from the sides, grab a blow dryer and a pencil or paint brush. With the pencil/paint brush, push it against the hang-over paint/paint at the edge on the side (toward the back of the canvas). Mold it around to the back. To secure, use the blow dryer on a low setting (adjust slowly if it's taking long), then go over it again with the pencil/brush handle to mold it flush.

Tip #3: If you haven't practiced your name signature yet, do so until you find a style you like (especially when signing a large area), and keep a sharpie marker with you if giving as a gift. You can offer to sign the back and add a special note. Why wait to sign in front of them? Adds that special personal touch - especially while signing. It's a chance to add poise, flourish, etc. to the way you sign it. Believe me, people notice this, and it adds even more character to the memory of it for them.

Tip #4: If you want to add another level of detail, take a toothpick and drag it through the paint. Like what baristas do with foam art. Can add lines, patterns, etc.

P.S.: These make great gifts for family, friends, significant others, or someone you'd like to impress. To rebuild my social confidence after divorce, I started going to a local coffee shop and got to know the baristas well enough to offer free paintings. Word quickly spread, and now I'm slowly building new local friendships.

P.P.S.: Looks like we need to add "hobbies" to either its own category, or with the movies/music like it was at the previous S/OG.

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