5 Creative Ways to Use Fluid Acrylic Paints (That Aren’t Pouring)

When most people think of fluid acrylics, their minds go straight to pouring, but these versatile paints can do so much more! Whether you’re a fine detail lover, a mixed media experimenter or somewhere in between, fluid paints deserve a spot in your toolkit. Here are our top 5 ways to use them creatively, no pouring cup required.

1. Ink Like Washes

Fluid acrylics can be thinned with water or acrylic medium to create stunning transparent washes, just like watercolour or ink. They’re perfect for laying down luminous backgrounds, soft gradients or glazing over dry paint to add depth.

2. Fine Detail Work

Thanks to their smooth, flowing consistency, fluid paints are brilliant for intricate detail. Pair them with liner or spot detail brushes for clean outlines, botanical painting or stylised line work.

3. Calligraphy & Lettering

Swap out your ink for fluid acrylic. These paints work beautifully with dip pens, brushes or even paint markers for colourful, contemporary calligraphy or hand lettering. Try them on cards, art journals or canvas for a bold statement.

4. Stencilling

Fluid acrylics glide smoothly through stencils, creating crisp designs without bleeding, especially when used with a sponge or stencil brush. Use them for backgrounds, layering patterns or even mixed media texture work.

5. Airbrushing

Fluid acrylics (when thinned appropriately) can be used in an airbrush for soft transitions, shading and graphic effects. They’re excellent for mural work, custom surfaces or blending complex backgrounds.

Want to Try It Yourself?

We stock an amazing range of fluid acrylics at Art Shed Brisbane including Atelier Free Flow, Matisse Fluid and Jo Sonja Flow Acrylics ready for your next creative experiment.