I started paint pouring about a month ago, and oh my, was it expensive. I spent way too much money when I started and it wasn't even on good quality materials. They were simply just overpriced. Now I could probably make a paint pouring canvas for just 20$ in materials...meaning I could sell it for as cheap as $30 if I wanted.

My best advice overall would have to be to avoid craft supply stores. They overprice everything. You can always get the same thing somewhere else for half the cost.

1. Buy bulk Gesso.

I bought my Gesso for 30$ in bulk, which was a lot for a one time purchase, but 10$ can get you 16oz when my 30$ purchase got me 2L. So buying bulk is really worth it if this is something you do a lot.

2. Buy old canvases from secondhand stores.

This is why you need the Gesso. I have found it to way cheaper to buy used canvases from secondhand stores and gesso over them than to buy new canvas. Most of the canvas I buy is already set up with wire to be hung up too. So there is a huge bonus.

3. Go to a house painting store.

Instead of buying expensive "pouring median" from a craft or artist supply store, buy paint thinner from a paint store. Not only is it the same thing and way cheaper, but it's actually better quality with better results.

4. Go ahead and buy cheap acrylic paint.

The Pouring Median is more important than the paint, so you don't need to buy expensive acrylic inks or even expensive acrylic paints. I have bought paint from the dollar store that worked just fine.

If you want to experiment later with acrylic inks, that's fine too. Just know you don't have to.

5. Be creative and use what you have at home.

The amazing thing about pouring median is that it can bring old paint back to life. So don't be afraid to dig up all that old paint that has probably seen better days.

6. Use treadmill lube to make cells.

All you need is something 100 percent silicone to make cells in paint pouring, so please don't go to a craft store and buy their overpriced silicone specially packaged for this purpose. There are so many other options, and so far, treadmill lube seems to be working the best for me.

7. Use that 50 percent off coupon.

Michaels has a 50 percent off coupon every week that I only ever use to walk in, buy one thing, then walk out. Keep in mind that this is easier said than done ... however, I have gotten really good at it.

I use it now only for the purpose of buying epoxy resin to put a finishing coat over my paintings. Since epoxy is super expensive and I don't have 200$ to buy it in bulk, the only way I can get a deal on it is with that Michael's weekly coupon, and so far it has been working.

Thank you.

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