✨ Understanding the Difference: Dirty Cup, Open Cup & Flip Cup Techniques in Acrylic Pouring

One of the things I love most about acrylic pouring is the variety of techniques that offer completely different results—each one as exciting and unpredictable as the next. Whether you're new to fluid art or just curious about different pour styles, understanding the basics of some popular techniques can help you appreciate the creative process behind each artwork.

Today, I’d like to share a closer look at three favourite methods I often explore in my studio:

the Dirty Cup, Open Cup, and Flip Cup pours.

🎨 1. Dirty Cup Pour

The Dirty Cup technique involves layering different paint colours into a single cup—without mixing them. You simply pour one colour after another into the cup, allowing them to settle naturally. Once the cup is full, you pour it out over your canvas in a controlled swirl, puddle, or wave.

After pouring, the canvas is tilted in different directions to stretch the paint and create beautiful flowing patterns.

🌀 What to expect:

• Smooth blending and subtle transitions between colours

• A marbled or feathery effect

• More control over colour placement and flow

💡 Why I use it: It’s ideal when I want to combine harmony with a touch of surprise. I love how the colours dance and blend without becoming muddy.

🌊 2. Open Cup Pour

The Open Cup technique uses a hollow cylinder (like a bottomless plastic cup or cut bottle) placed directly on the canvas. Paint is slowly poured into the open space, and it gently seeps out from underneath the cup, creating beautiful, layered effects.

Once the paint flows out, the canvas is tilted to stretch the composition and form organic shapes.

🌀 What to expect:

• Gentle, controlled colour flow

• Organic, blooming shapes

• Often resembles blooming flowers or flowing streams

💡 Why I use it: This method is perfect for more detailed compositions or when I want to build up layers and shapes gradually.

🔄 3. Flip Cup Pour

Flip Cup is a classic and dramatic technique. Like the Dirty Cup, paints are layered into a cup—but instead of pouring it out, you place the cup face-down on the canvas and quickly flip it over. After letting the paints settle, you lift the cup to reveal the magic.

From there, the canvas is tilted to move the paint across the surface and guide the final look.

🌀 What to expect:

• Bold, spontaneous results

• Unexpected cells and dynamic colour patterns

• High contrast and dramatic movement

💡 Why I use it: It’s one of the most exciting methods! The reveal moment always feels like unwrapping a gift—completely unpredictable and full of energy.

🌟 Final Thoughts

Each of these techniques—Dirty Cup, Open Cup, and Flip Cup—has its own unique character, and I often experiment with all three to see what the paints have in store for me. No matter which method I use, tilting the canvas is essential to shaping the final result and guiding the paint across the surface.

There’s no right or wrong choice—just different paths to express your creativity.

Which pour style speaks to you? Let me know in the comments or browse my Gallery to see which pieces were created using which technique—you might start to spot the differences!