Pouring medium and flow medium are both used for paint and pour projects, and both are ideal for this type of painting. But, they do have their differences, and these differences may be a huge factor when it comes to deciding which type of medium you should use.
You can also make your own pouring medium with Elmer’s white glue and water, but it isn’t going to stand the test of time as true mediums will. If you are on a tight budget and still learning about paint and pour, this may be your best option, at least for the time being.
Once you decide you want to get into paint and pour, you will likely want to invest in a good pouring or flow medium. But, which should you use?
Once you start using these products, it won’t take long to see the differences between the two. Pouring mediums allow you to have a smooth consistency when the color is mixed, and the paint will remain fairly opaque. A flow medium will thin the paint and make it more transparent.
A pouring medium contains acrylic resins so it doesn’t weaken the paint, and it doesn’t need to be diluted. A flow medium has no resin and must be diluted before use.
For the sake of this article, we are going to take a look at two of the most popular paint and pour mediums, Liquitex Pouring Medium and Floetrol Pouring Medium. Continue reading to learn more.
Pouring Medium vs Flow Medium Comparison
| Factors | Liquitex Pouring Medium | Floetrol Pouring Medium (flow medium) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Around $30 for 32 ounces | Around $25 for 3.3 ounces |
| Opacity | Colors remain opaque and vivid | Thins out paint and makes it more transparent |
| Sheen | Glossy finish, other finishes available | Matte finish |
| Cell formation | Great for cell formation | Great for cell formation |
| Cleanup | Difficult to clean up after painting | Can be cleaned with soap and water |
Liquitex Pouring Medium
One of the most popular fluid art mediums for artists who do paint and pour projects is Liquitex Pouring Medium. This is a professional pouring medium that is artist-quality, and it was the first type of pouring medium available to artists.
This pouring medium has been specifically designed for use with acrylic paints. It contains an acrylic polymer, and the strength of the resin is quite high.
It can be used with all types of paint and pour methods, from the traditional pour to the puddle pour to the Dutch pour to the swiping method. Whichever pour style you are using, this is a medium that will create a smooth and even consistency.
One of the things I like about this medium is that because it contains resin, it hardens and the painting is protected for life. Your painting will have a glossy finish, and there won’t be any crazing over time. If you don’t like a glossy surface, you can also opt for matte or iridescent finishes.
Another option is to mix up a batch of resin and pour it over the painting, but why take this extra step if you don’t have to?
The type of paint you are using will determine the ratio of the paint to the pouring medium. For instance, if you are using highly pigmented paint, you should only need to use one tablespoon of paint to one cup of medium.
If you are using student grade or craft paints, you will likely need to use a 1:1 ratio, because these paints do not have nearly as much density and opacity.
One of the great things about this pouring medium is that it doesn’t cause the paint to become transparent. You can use as much as you need without having to worry about diluting the paint, as long as you are using quality paints.
Another benefit is that you don’t have to worry about bubbles in the paint film. So, you won’t need to use a heat gun to get rid of bubbles.
This medium is available in many quantities, and if you are on a budget and just want to give it a try, you can get the smallest bottle (237 ml) for less than $15.
Pros and Cons of Liquitex Pouring Medium
Pros
- Colors remain vibrant
- Even on, a glossy surface, no need for varnish
- Durability
- No cracking as this medium remains flexible, even while it is drying
- Great for cell formation
Cons
- This product is made for a specific purpose, so it can be quite costly
- Difficult to remove due to the resin, so you will need to wear gloves
Floetrol Pouring Medium
Floetrol Pouring Medium wasn’t created for the purpose of paint pouring, but it is often used instead of a traditional pouring medium, such as Liquitex Pouring Medium. This is an alternative to a pouring medium.
It is not a pouring medium per se, but a flow medium. It was designed to make acrylic paints flow more smoothly, as opposed to a pouring medium which is designed specifically for paint and pour art.
This medium allows paint to flow easily so you end up with a smooth, even surface. It is a great alternative to pouring medium, and it will help to give you more paint to work with.
But, this medium isn’t perfect by any means. Yes, it will thin out your paint, but it will also make the paint more transparent. While this may be ideal for some projects, there will be more times when you want a higher level of opacity.
Floetrol can be used with acrylic paints, and like Liquitex Pouring Medium, the higher the quality of the paint, the better your projects are going to turn out.
This medium is sometimes found in art supplies stores, but if you want to save money, I suggest ordering it online because it is much less expensive that way.
Pros and Cons of Floetrol Pouring Medium
Pros
- Less expensive than pouring mediums because it isn’t specifically a pouring medium
- Great for beginners, and pros also enjoy using it
- Can easily be removed with soap and water
- Won’t muddy the color tones because it allows for great color separation
- Great cell formation
- Can be used as a pouring medium
- Very few bubbles during drying to worry about
Cons
- Lumps can form if the product is stored for too long (pour this medium through a sieve to get rid of the lumps before you begin painting)
- Dries matte, so if you want a glossy finish you will need to use varnish
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing the best medium for paint and pour art, there are many things to consider. Liquitex Pouring Medium is one of the most popular choices because it was designed for this purpose.
But, don’t discount Floetrol Pouring Medium just because it technically isn’t an actual pouring medium. It is also great for this same purpose, and it may be more economical.
I suggest giving both products a try to see which one works best for your particular paint and pour needs.
Sari Green is a semi-professional artist and professional writer. She has been hosting paint & sip parties for the past couple of years, and truly enjoys helping other people to create their very own masterpieces. She loves to create, and you never know what she’s going to come up with next!