#12 How to Mix Up My Pouring Medium & Cell Activator | Acrylic Pour Painting | Fluid Abstract Art

Acrylic Pouring Blooms Technique Inspirational Tutorial Video.
paint pouring, the painted dreamer, abstract fluid art, shelee art style, no silicone, fluid acrylics, acrylic pouring techniques, fluid art tutorials, abstract acrylic pouring Art, Pour Painting, fluid painting, house paint art, swipes, blooms.
In this video I wanted to share my blooms technique recipe, the products I use to get the results you see in my videos and how I mix them up. I am working on perfecting my US Floetrol CA recipe, I haven’t used it since last year so that will be coming soon 😊 Thanks so much for watching! ❤️❤️
Products Used:
Pillow Paint - Pittsburgh Paint Ultra White/Pastel Base Satin: bit.ly/3k0fjHn
PM Base - Dutch Boy Dura Clean Cabinet Door & Trim Base D High Gloss: Found at Menards
Alternatives: Behr 8300 Deep Base or Behr Dynasty Semi Gloss Deep Base, both Home Depot
PM Varnish: Jo Sonja Polyurethane Gloss Varnish: josonja.com/pr...
PM Mixed 2:1 Base/Varnish
PM to Paint measurement (estimate):
1.5oz (45ml) PM to between 1/4 tsp (1.25ml) to a 1/2 tsp (2.5ml) paint to start. If too thin add a little more paint (or even a gel gloss), if too thick add a little more PM to thin more.
CA:
Amsterdam Titanium White: www.dickblick....
Australian Floetrol: Fluid Art Company now has AUS Floetrol in stock on their site: fluid-art.co
If they sell out I buy from The Wholesale Paint Company: wholesalepaint...
CA Mixed 4:1 Floetrol/Paint
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Thank you so much for watching and supporting my love of art, it truly means a lot! ❤️❤️❤️
#acrylicpouring #fluidart #abstractart

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

NOTE: If you can’t find these brands or are in a different country the components you want are an untinted base house paint (base c or d, base 3 or 4 whichever is lowest, deep base or ultra deep base or neutral base) plus a water based polyurethane gloss varnish to make up your Pouring Medium. If you want to try a more traditional pouring medium base because you can’t get certain components, TOTALLY go for it and give it a try 😃 it’s YOUR Art after all! 💜 Also, if you aren’t able to obtain either the US or Australian floetrols, try other options for cell activator like Amsterdam paint & water mixed thin or even silicone, this is your art, have fun with it!! 🤗💜

[@isabelvera8464]

Excelente tutorial🥰

[@SamanthaDuncan-y5n]

Best explanation yet. Thank you

[@yvencia1150]

Thank you for sharing 🎨

[@margiemcfee4569]

Thank you for all your videos and for sharing your art. Everything you create is amazing. I try to duplicate but it is not so easy. Practice, practice, practice.

[@holynyork7124]

Must go to oxygen machine, you know I save your videos Love ur work, love u Miss Jodie

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

Thank you Kimmer, love you too!!! 💜💜💜

[@holynyork7124]

🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾new pup🐾🐾

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

Did you get a new puppy 🐶! Send me pics please!! 😃💜😃

[@lizzijansen6527]

Excellent video!

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

Thank you 🤗

[@catherinehunter1078]

Thank you! 🥰

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

You’re welcome! 🥰🌺

[@magnificentyou2279]

Thank you, Jodi. Your art is exceptionally stunning. I love it! Thank you so much for sharing so clearly! Blessings!

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

That means a lot, thank you so much! 💜 if there’s anything you’d like to see in a future video, please let me know! 😊

[@kayejones4473]

Just got my Aussie floetrol. So glad I found you. Gonna give it a try...

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

Oh yay! Have so much fun with it!! 😃💜💜💜

[@pashanny]

Wow Jodie, I'm a big fan of yours and have gotten so much excellent information from you. Today I picked up my Behrman and Glidden, also got my Amsterdam Titanium white & Oxide black. I'm so eager to start. Coincidentally, I'm Chicago born and now live in Oregon. Small world. Again thank you for all your work and videos.

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

You’re very welcome Denise, I’m so glad they have helped! Have so much fun on your art journey but just remember to have fun too especially during the challenging moments🤗. A Chicago girl is always a Chicago girl no matter where she ends up 😉💜💜

[@ileneweinstein8181]

Thank you Jodi, very informative and detailed.. Really appreciated this video. I would like to see how you mix other paints. Can’t wait to try this today. 🥰💕❤️

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

You’re very welcome Ilene, thank YOU! I do have a few newer PM mixing videos where I also mix up paints and a pigment mixing video so you can see how that’s done. It’s basically the same way regardless of PM I’m using ☺️💜

[@ileneweinstein8181]

@@ThePaintedDreamer Thanks Jodi. 💕

[@0to100Art]

Perfect presentation, Excellent content on your channel, Your channel is moving in the right direction towards the goal

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

I’m so glad you liked it, thank you! 🤗💜

[@VaniaArt.Color959]

Thanks for the great info! 👏👏👏

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

You’re very welcome! 🤗

[@sarinamcdougal3146]

This was very helpful. Thank you.

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

Absolutely! I’m so glad it helped you! ☺️💜

[@soniaarrabal8970]

Gracias por enseñar y si puedes haz el video con glidder bendiciones

[@tesstorres995]

Hello Jodi. Thanks for sharing all this great information! Should I add pouring medium to the pour=ready acrylics as well? Thank you

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

Hi Tess, you’re very welcome I’m glad it helped. So typically the ready pour paints are designed to use as is but I have added them to my pouring medium and just treated it as a fluid paint as I find them way too thin. I did do an experiment with a couple ready pour paints last year to see what would happen if you want to check it out (videos 127 & 128). Hope this helps 🤗

[@tesstorres995]

@@ThePaintedDreamer Thank you!!

[@annarosafalzari1045]

Gentilissima e generosa nelle spiegazioni, ho guardato molte volte questo tuo video molto chiaro ed esauriente, sono principiante in questa tecnica , ma non sono d'accordo sugli spaghetti del giorno dopo, no no , gli spaghetti vanno nell'acqua bollente cotti per i minuti necessari , scolati e mangiati immediatamente , ciao bella signora un bacio con simpatia dall'Italia

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

Thank you so much Anna 🤗💜

[@kellycampbell8820]

I think I'm mixing my paints too thin. Mine look nothing like that. I'll try the thicker consistency. Thank you!

[@lydiaveldhuizen3157]

That was very Helpfull Jody. Curious if I can find those products in Europe.

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

I’m glad Lydia 🤗 you may be able to find other brands but at a high level the pillow you want a low sheen white interior house paint (satin or eggshell but not flat). Then the PM mixture is an untinted house paint and a clear gloss water based polyurethane varnish. The cell activator may be tricky, I know some that use the Owatrol successfully (I have it on my list to test out), check out Erica Hughes Art here on YT she’s in Ireland and has done this technique on her channel using products available over there and I believe she used the Owatrol as cell activator. Hope this helps! 💜

[@lydiaveldhuizen3157]

@@ThePaintedDreamer Thank you so much Jody for your answer. The Australian Flood Floetrol was this year no problem. I could buy me 4 Liter from England. For 2 years I buyed 1 liter from Australia it kosten me over 100 Euro,s

[@lydiaveldhuizen3157]

@@ThePaintedDreamer Oeps I was not finised yet. So the CA will work with Amsterdam. Also no problem. Buth I was surging for you Dutch Boy there I found Non. As you said I wil look for a house paint and the rest. Thank you so much for your help. Have a Nice Evening. Its still day I think. Oké what ever.

[@kimbrecheen6656]

Thank you for showing these mixtures. Any idea how long the PM can stay in a good sealed container? I just feel like mixing a lot and having it ready - unless of course, you say it won’t do well on the shelf. Also, I’ll be using the Glidden. Again, thank you.

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

You’re welcome Kim, it depends on your environment but I usually make about 16 ounces at a time and just use it when I need it. It seems to be good for at least a couple months but if you have weather changes or an unstable environment it could be less. I wouldn’t make too big of a batch unless you know it’ll keep for awhile so I would test it out where you are with a smaller one first 🤗

[@lauraborgmann8285]

Nice share! TY dollar store small spatula to get all the mix. Just an FYI instead of stick

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

You’re welcome Laura, thank YOU! And thank you for the tip on the small spatulas at the dollar store, I’ll look for it next time I’m there 🤗💜

[@jkuntz67]

Hi Jodi Beautifull I wanted to ask you if you dont mind, I found some base C in France for my colors mix its a little more white than yours and Very stretchy and make bubble when i stir it with my colors, should i late it rest bevore use ? thank you

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

Hi 😃👋🏻 thank you so much! If you’re getting a lot of bubbles I would let your paints rest for sure. Depending on how big your can is for your untinted paint maybe put some in a smaller airtight container and let it rest before using. I usually buy a gallon at a time and put some in a quart container and use that instead of the gallon so both can rest at their own rate if that makes sense. 😊

[@Crazy4Crafting50]

I want to do this so bad but I would be concerned about the health affects of the "odor". After all, when we smell we are actually taking particles into our sinuses, which goes directly into your bloodstream. I would have to save up for a respirator first. Ugh! But I've been watching you for a while and really want to do it!

[@Drella633]

I ♥ your channel! You instructions are so easy to understand, and your work is AMAZING! Question. I have Crafters Pick The Ultimate on hand. Do you think that would work in place of the Lineco? I'd really like to try your CA recipe out and other than a dropper for the conditioner, I have everything else to make up a batch. I don't have the Amsterdam liquid acrylic so I'm hoping what I do have on hand will work in place of that as well. I tried another CA recipe out today and it was HORRIBLE! Had to scrape both of my tiles and I was using pigments for the first time! Boo!

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

Thank you so much!! ☺️ .. try to use what you have on hand first to see if it will work .. you don’t need the Lineco, you can get away with glueall also. I’ve not heard of crafters pick so I don’t know but there are so many different things that may work, you never know. I’m still learning different things that work haha! Hence I’m always testing 🤣 .. for the ink it doesn’t need to be Amsterdam, but it does need to be acrylic ink and not alcohol ink that won’t work. Or even try without it. I’m currently testing a recipe with just US floetrol, Amsterdam paint and glue and it’s very promising! The key is a thin consistency so keep that in mind too. If it’s thick add a bit more floetrol and/or glue to thin it more.

[@shefalidavar6714]

Hey Jodi, thank you so much for sharing the videos and giving so much time to all of us. I loved all the pieces you have made. I need to know one thing, how long these PMS, Cell activator and the colours can stay- weeks or months?

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

Hi Shefali! You’re very welcome! Thank YOU! I’ve used colors, PMs and CAs until they were gone and some have sat there a month or two. Most will last a couple months at least but there’s always that errant one that when you open doesn’t look so good even after stirring.

[@hanatekaste6449]

Thanks 🙏

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

You’re very welcome! 💜

[@BrandiWineRn]

Do you add anything to your pillow paint? The colored paints that are made for fluid art do you mix them the same way ? Is your pillow paint the same consistency as the other paints?

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

I don’t add anything to my pillow paint, it’s used straight from the can. The other color paints are mixed with my pouring medium mixture. Check the description box below each video so see exactly what I’m using for each piece. The cell activator is another component and that is also listed in the description box. The pillow is thicker than my paints mixed with my pouring medium and then my cell activator is a bit thinner that that. 😊

[@racheljune688]

Hey love 💗 thanks so much for all your amazing videos and sharing everything with us. Did you ever share your US Floetrel recipe to get close to the Australian Floetrel cell reaction? 😁 I'd love to know! Thanks so much! ❤️❤️❤️

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

I did 🤗 and I see your next comment that you found video 16 which is the mixing video for it. Also, check the description box underneath all my videos I put a lot of information there 😊

[@racheljune688]

@@ThePaintedDreamer Thank you 💖😊

[@LottieOfWales]

Can I use vivid enamel untinted paint and add my pigment or paint to it instead of house paint? It’s really expensive and I have a lot of it. I’ve only been doing this a couple of months and I’ve spent several hundred dollars already. Thanks for all your hard work!

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

I’ve not used the vivid enamel so I can’t really comment if it will work well but if you have a lot of it then I would certainly try it to see how it works out for you 😃💜

[@LottieOfWales]

Thank you ! I’m going to try it. Vivid enamel is a high gloss an untinted paint base. It will be great if works!

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

@@LottieOfWales I'd love to hear how it works out for you :)

[@marionmcallister17]

Hi, I’m confused. Does your cell activator still use the glue and the ink and the pre stain. Or just the paint and the floetrol?

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

Hi Marion, it depends if you are using Australian floetrol or US floetrol. Australian floetrol works just with paint you don’t need to put anything else in it and is what the blooms technique was founded on. The US floetrol makeup is a little different so additional things are added to make it mimic the results you get with the Aussie. Having said that, I have gotten the US floetrol to work at a really high ratio with just Amsterdam paint but it can be finicky depending on what you are using it with, what other paints and pouring mediums. I use Australian floetrol more than US floetrol as cell activator but I do have a playlist called “US floetrol cell activator” so it’s easy to find all my videos using that. Most others will use Australian but I do list exactly what is being used in each video not only at the end (or beginning for older videos) of each video in snapshots but also in the description box below each video so be sure to check there if you are ever wondering what is used in the video and miss me talking about it in the video. Hope this helps 😊

[@pamdabney9133]

Hey Jodi just got my Australian flo for the first time can you thin that at all? The paints I mixed are thinner....or should I thicken the paints, when I put it in it sunk so I assumed it was too thick I am new and love your videos...

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

Hi Pam! Oh yay you got the magic sauce 😃 It’s pretty thin already compared to our floetrol and doesn’t really need thinning. If you put the CA (cell activator) on your color paints and it sinks like right away then your CA is too thin, just add a little more paint to it. Your color paints you want a little thicker than your CA. When you put the CA on you want to start to see a halo form around it but not completely sink right away. Does this make sense? 😊💜

[@pamdabney9133]

@@ThePaintedDreamer Thanks so let me get this straight heavy ones float?? Thinner ones sink? Thanks for the Menards heads up went to Cleveland and loved that store..

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

@@pamdabney9133 yea if your cell activator is too thin it will sink right away, if it’s thicker it will still sink a little around the edges but not as fast so it will float a bit longer on the top while you blow it out. It all eventually sinks but you just don’t want it to sink fast. If that makes sense. I did a beginners tutorial where I kind of explain what you are looking for if that will help, it’s video #36. Menards is the best!! I can’t go in there and not get into a little trouble 😬

[@pamdabney9133]

@@ThePaintedDreamer I think I'm going to go ahead and take Shelee's class with your code if that's okay...thanks for all you do!

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

@@pamdabney9133 You’re very welcome Pam! Have fun with the course and see you in the Facebook group, it really is a wealth of knowledge! 😃🤗💜

[@kaymartin9607]

Hi Jodi, thank you so much for sharing all of these helpful well explained videos!! I have a question about the CA, once it is mixed, how long can you store it and still achieve results?

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

Hi Kay! You’re very welcome, I’m glad I can help! For the CAs, the AUS floetrol recipe lasts longer. I’ve used that really until it’s all gone and I need to make more. I’ve used 6 month old CA and it worked just fine. Now, for the US floetrol recipe, unfortunately that doesn’t last as long. I find it loses potency about a month after being mixed. Sometimes you can refresh it a little with more Minwax or glue but I usually end up making a fresh batch then. 😊

[@kaymartin9607]

Thanks so much Jodi!!

[@liletteautrey8481]

Do you have to varnish your picture after it has dried up completely

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

There are some that don’t so I don’t know that it’s a requirement but I do to protect the piece from the elements 🤗

[@user-oj5ub6ry2e]

You’re work is so beautiful and thank you for this video!! I went to purchase the Pittsburgh paint White/Pastel and they don’t seem to carry it anymore. Is there another white that you would recommend?? Thanks!

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

Thank you so much! Oh my gosh don’t tell me that!!! Did they say they were discontinuing it?? The other pillow I really like is at Home Depot, the Glidden Premium (red can) base 1 Pure White in eggshell (or satin) I’ve used both it’s personal preference 💜

[@user-oj5ub6ry2e]

@@ThePaintedDreamer hi! I was looking to purchase online for pickup and didn’t see the white/pastel but when I went into the store they had a ton! Maybe when I was looking they just happened to be out of stock at the time. Sorry if I worried you and thanks for the reply.

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

Oh ok good! Yea I’m not sure what’s going on with their website. I was there a couple weeks ago to get some and they had plenty but you know a lot can change in that time frame haha! Thanks for letting me know!

[@mike20robinson11]

I live close to. I'm in kenosha wi. Maybe we could meet up so I can get some help with this amazing art

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

Sorry Michael I don’t teach classes at this time 😊

[@markc5959]

Thanks for your videos they are so helpful and easy to understand. Your artwork is beautiful and you look super hot in this video!!!

[@ruskin76]

Hi Jodi, How long can you store the pouring medium after mixing, is it OK for months? Thanks

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

Hi David! You should be able to store it until you use it up. That’s what I do and I haven’t had any issues with it .. for me if I make a big batch it might be sitting there a couple months while I use it .. but environment will play a factor also, if it’s stored where temperatures change drastically or not temp controlled that may change things. My temp in my studio fluctuates from 67 - 75 depending on the season and I haven’t had an issue yet. Hope this helps! ☺️

[@ruskin76]

@@ThePaintedDreamer Thanks for that Jodi, good to know that I can keep it a while.

[@ruskin76]

@@ThePaintedDreamer Many thanks for your response Jodi, thats realy useful. Happy New Year!!

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

@@ruskin76 Happy New Year to you David! 😃

[@holynyork7124]

Screen shot all info 💕🚙

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

That’s the best way! 😃💜💜

[@stephaniemccall5411]

Hi Jodi, have you ever mixed a cell activator recipe with US floetrol?

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

Hi Stephanie 😃 .. I have, the video you want to watch of mine is #16 I mix up my US floetrol cell activator in it. Hope it helps! ☺️💜

[@jerrypanozzo1]

I just picked up some iridescent green and iridescent purple varnish by DecoArt at Michaels. As purple and green are currently my favorite colors, I am going to experiment a little bit with these and make PMs. Have you heard anything or worked with these kind of varnishes?

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

Oooh those are great colors, especially the purple 😉. I have not tried these no, let me know how your experiments go! 😃

[@Crazy4Crafting50]

Which is the 2 parts? You don't say...

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

I need a little more context to answer your question 😊

[@Crazy4Crafting50]

@@ThePaintedDreamer you said the one formula for mixing the white with the clear glossy stuff was a 2 to 1 ratio. You did not specify which one was 2 parts and which ingredient was 1 part.

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

@@Crazy4Crafting50 2 parts Dutch boy, 1 part varnish

[@lorettanorris648]

If you mix your paint with white paint n want it red u get pink

[@mumo9413]

Thanks hun, but Its strange how paints in the US, AUS & UK differ so much. The paints used are not acrylics. Confusing for a learner. I'm in the UK will have to experiment. How does US & Aus Fleet roll differ? Bizarre?

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

You’re welcome! 🤗 For the blooms technique acrylic paints are used as your colors but the pouring medium is a mixture of untinted house paint and a clear gloss polyurethane varnish and all countries it seems are different with these depending on the ingredients and what is allowed in that particular country. Same would go for the floetrol which is used for the cell activator portion of this technique. They all differ again due to that countries ingredient restriction. Since this technique was born in Australia and the Aussie floetrol was used, it’s termed the magic sauce, the US and UK version since made with different ingredients take some adjusting with additional ingredients to get the cell activator to work. Hope this helps explain a little. Also I have a beginners tutorial on the blooms if that will help some more, it’s video number 36. 💜

[@Crazy4Crafting50]

Would you or have you record a tutorial style video to help beginners? Also, do you have a complete list of tools and materials written out? Or would you be willing to add it into the description section for someone who wants to get started? Thanks in advance!

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

I have a beginners tutorial on the blooms technique, video 36. Also be sure you check the description box of every video I have as there’s a wealth of knowledge there. I have playlists to help navigate the videos types as well 😊

[@suealexander7999]

And what are your proportions PM to paint?

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

I don’t measure. It all depends if you are using fluid, tube or pigment. What you want is the same consistency no matter what you are using. Pigment and fluid you’ll use a little more paint than tube paint. If I had to say a ratio and this is very loosely .. tube paints since they are thicker it would be 1 part paint and maybe 3 or 4 parts PM. Fluid or pigments it would be more like 1:1 paint to PM or 1:2 paint to PM.

[@suealexander7999]

@@ThePaintedDreamer Thanks so much Jodi! Love your work.😊

[@ThePaintedDreamer]

@@suealexander7999 Absolutely! Thanks so much Sue! Let me know if you need anything else ☺️