Cell Activator Flow Control
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- Cell Activator Flow Control is a fluid art pouring medium that is used to thin paints that will specifically be used in the top layer in acrylic pouring art. It is typically mixed with paints to make a Cell Activator for Sheleeart Blooms and Swipes but can also be used on top in Dutch Pours. Cells form without the use of any oily additives and Bloom techniques give lovely lacing.
Downloads:
Bloom Gallery
Cell Activator Flow Control
We now manufacture four Pouring Mediums used in fluid art. These are called:
- Original Flow Control
- Cell Activator Flow Control
- Cloud & Pearl Flow Control
- Metallic Paint Flow Control
Bloom Techniques, Swipes and Dutch Pours using our Cell Activator Flow Control, Original Flow Control and Acrylic Pouring Paints without oily additives or residues
Newer fluid art techniques, that give cell formation without the use of oily additives, have been developed. In these techniques, cells and lacing are created by complex physical and chemical interactions between the various components used in the pour. In some techniques, a top layer of paint known as a “Cell Activator“ or “CA” is used.
In the Sheleeart Bloom technique a CA is prepared by mixing Australian Floetrol with Amsterdam Paint. A polyurethane varnish and clear base are blended to make a pouring medium. The required paints and mediums are expensive and often difficult to obtain.
Now you can obtain prolific cell formation and beautiful lacing using only Bastion Paint products. This is a superb development by Bastion Paint that has raised the bar in acrylic pouring art. All our products required for these techniques have been formulated to work together.
The top CA is prepared by mixing one or two of our Acrylic Pouring Paints with our Cell Activator Flow Control. A CA made this same way can also be used as a top paint layer in swipes and even in Dutch pours.
All other Acrylic Pouring Paints used in the pour are prepared by mixing them with our Original Flow Control. (For even more special effects, you can also use our Bright Neon Paints mixed with our Original Flow Control and our Metallic Paints mixed with our Metallic Paint Flow Control.)
Preparing a Cell Activator (CA) for Bloom techniques, Swipes and Dutch Pours
This CA is used as the top layer in Blooms, Swipes and Dutch Pours where no oily additives are involved. It can be spread by blowing or swiping. Crisp cells and beautiful lacing form naturally without oily additives and with no oily residue.
Make the CA by mixing any of our Acrylic Pouring Paints with our “Cell Activator Flow Control”. Our recommended ratio is 1 part paint with 2 parts Cell Activator Flow Control (parts by volume).
All of our Acrylic Pouring Paint colours work in the CA so you can select any CA colour that you want.
Different coloured paints in the CA tend to give slightly different effects, for example we have seen that the cells formed by our Titanium White in the CA differ from those formed by Carbon Black in the CA. We suggest that you begin using Titanium White in the CA.
The mixed CA will thicken up somewhat during the first week or two. After that it will remain stable and won't thicken further. This thickening impacts cell formation slightly and when thicker a bit more of the CA colour will be visible on the dried art surface. CA that is a bit thicker does not blow out as easily. You can use fresh (thinner) or aged (thicker) CA as both work. If you prefer the results with thinner CA, then use fresh CA or thin older CA with a very small amount of water.
Preparing the Paints used under the CA
The paints used as colours under the CA are also very important to achieve the cell forming chemical and physical interactions. All our Acrylic Pouring Paints give good results. Our Acrylic Pouring Paints should be mixed with our Original Flow Control (usually in ratio of 1:1 by volume). An important consideration for any pour is to make sure that all the paints are mixed to a similar consistency.
Our Metallic Paints also work under the CA but, for best results, should be used in combination with Acrylic Pouring Paints. Metallic Paints should be mixed with our Metallic Paint Flow Control and not with Original Flow Control.
Bloom type technique using only Bastion Paint products (starting guide)
A special thanks to Traci Scerri who tirelessly tested all our developments and determined these starting ratios. She did hundreds of blooms as we developed our products for these techniques. She gives classes in various paint pouring techniques in Johannesburg. You can visit her website is www.traci-art.co.za for more information and links to various social platforms.
- All mixing ratios mentioned are volume ratios.
- Mix ratios that work best are dependent on numerous variables including technique. Our system is robust, but the artist still needs to develop “a feel” for the correct flow of the various components and may prefer the results obtained with slightly different ratios.
- If you do want to use a different thickness: For a lower flow (thicker mix), use less Original Flow Control or Cell Activator Flow Control. If you require a higher flow (thinner mix), we recommend adding a little water. The flow of paint is very sensitive to water addition so add water very carefully. It is a good idea to add water via a spray bottle or dropper so as not to add too much. Water must always be mixed in well.
Pillow (2:1)
2 parts Acrylic Pouring Titanium White mixed with 1 part Original Flow Control.
(We have not tested all our colours in the pillow but those we have tested all work. You can experiment with our other colours in the pillow as the pillow can also form cells that bloom up.)
Colours (1:1)
Any of our Acrylic Pouring Paints mixed with our Original Flow Control (1:1 by volume).
Any of our Metallic Paints mixed with our Metallic Paint Flow Control. Our Metallic Paints are often used in combination with Acrylic Pouring Paints below the CA. It is important that that both normal paints and metallic paints are mixed to the same consistency so use as much Metallic Paint Flow Control as required to achieve this (1:1 by volume is a guide but will not apply to all metallic paints).
Cell Activator (1:2)
Any of our Acrylic Pouring Paints mixed with our “Cell Activator Flow Control”. 1 part paint with 2 parts Cell Activator Flow Control.
We have found that sometimes 1 : 2.5 gives even better results so you can experiment with this.
Basic Bloom Technique
Spread the pillow out as required.
Pour the colours over the pillow.
Pour the cell activator over the colours.
Spread by blowing or swiping.
Spinning or tilting are also part of the technique and also ensure that the final paint layer is not so thick that it will crack.
Many variations of this basic technique can be used.
Videos
After the development of our Cell Activator Flow Control it was tested and tested. Traci Scerri tested various mixing ratios and colour combinations in the pillow, colours and the CA. The results of her tests are shown in this short video (less than 2 minutes). At the time the video was made we still had not introduced our new product labels so don’t let old labels in the video confuse you.
Sheleeart Bloom Mixing Tutorial: Video demonstrating how to mix our paints for a Bloom Pour
Sheleeart Bloom Tutorial: Video demonstrating a Bloom technique (see above video for Paint Mixing Tutorial)
Palette knife swipe in the Sheleeart bloom style
Video Shorts (Click to watch on YouTube)
Swipes using CA made with Cell Activator Flow Control
Blooms using CA made with Cell Activator Flow Control
Dutch Pours using CA made with Cell Activator Flow Control
Keep out of reach of children
All our products should be kept out of reach of children under 5 years and anybody who may tend to place items or liquids in their mouths should be supervised. Even packing can become a choking hazard.
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500ml
1 Litre
5 Litre
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