Painting parties - events in which instructors walk participants through the steps of creating specific images - have become popular within the last decade. The classes are a safe way to be adventurous. For people who want to push themselves further, flow painting, also called fluid art, may be the next step.

As the name suggests, flow painting involves acrylic paint mixed with Floetrol and applied to a canvas by pouring, rather than a brush. In the United States, Floetrol is a product of PPG Architectural Finishes and was created to improve the flow and leveling of water-based paints, primers, stains, and textured coatings. With flow painting, the resulting image is never assured.

"It just does its own thing, and, most of the time, it creates something amazing to look at," said Sparkle & Spill Fluid Art Creations owner Lacey Werner of East Lampeter Township.

Werner discovered fluid art by attending a class at a painting party studio on St. Patrick's Day in 2018. She and her boyfriend learned from two guest artists who demonstrated how to mix the paint and discussed various techniques. At home, Werner watched YouTube videos to learn more.

"I really like the fluidity of the technique," Werner commented. "It isn't a style of art that requires detail and is required to look like something. I like the uniqueness and that I don't have to really think about it once I pour the paint onto the canvas. The most challenging parts are getting the paint to be the right consistency, knowing how much paint I'll need, and deciding what colors to use."

Pre-mixed paints can be purchased at craft stores, or artists, like Werner, can mix their own. Canvases can always be reused, but their numbers can soar if artists like the finished products. Werner began to experience that latter phenomenon, so she started looking for homes for her art. She also found another way to be creative with the paint itself.

"I had so much dried leftover paint in the bottom of the containers I was using to pour over (canvases) that looked kind of neat on its own, so I decided to start making smaller things like keychains and magnets," Werner said.

For households looking for a creative outlet during yucky days this winter, fluid art may fit the bill. Adult supervision is required for using heat guns to remove bubbles from paint. Some fluid artists on YouTube and Facebook have also combined spray paint and fire, which should only be performed with adults watching closely and fire extinguishers located nearby.

"Picking the colors, maybe stirring the paint, and moving the paint around on the canvas would be something the kids could do," Werner stated. "Depending on the age and dexterity of the kids, they could probably handle the paint themselves, but for safety and preventing a mess, an adult would be better suited to handle the paint."

Werner's favorite resources for fluid art ideas, coaching, and support include the Facebook groups and pages Acrylic Pouring Addiction, Fluid Art Studios, and Jerry's Artarama; tutorials by Netherlands artist Rinske Douna; and the book "Get Started in Paint Pouring" by Nicky James Burch. Ultimately, though, people just need to take the plunge.

"Be patient, and don't necessarily have expectations for what you want your final design to look like," Werner advised. "Don't be afraid to experiment with techniques, pouring mediums, paints, and colors. There's a lot out there to use, and a lot to learn. You just have to find what works best for you."