The ULTIMATE Inexpensive Cell Activator Test!!
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- čas přidán 28. 08. 2024
- Looking to make a cell activator without Australian Floetrol? It’s time to have a showdown between the most common inexpensive recipes!
For Part 2 of this cell activator test, click here! • As Good As Aussie Floe...
A “cell activator” is a component of the SheleeArt bloom technique. It creates lacing when swiped or blown across other colors, but it usually requires Australian floetrol to make it, which can be very expensive if you don’t live there! So today I’m exploring different cell activators - testing them not only with a “bloom” recipe, but also on paints mixed with US floetrol!
My three cell activators were:
1. 3 parts US floetrol, 1 part Amsterdam Titanium White paint, 1 part Elmer’s Glue-All, and 1-2 drops Minwax pre-stain wood conditioner per ounce of mixture
2. 9 parts US floetrol, 1 part Amsterdam Titanium White paint
3. 2 parts Amsterdam Titanium White paint, 1 part water
Here’s how I mixed the mica pigments for the “bloom” recipe: • Painting With Mica Pow...
And here’s how I mixed them for the floetrol recipe: • Mixing Mica Powders Wi...
Want to try the mica pigments I use in this test? Use code 103S7H2T to get 10% off!
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My paints for the bloom recipe were mixed with a 2:1 mixture of untinted semigloss house paint and polycrylic, until they reached the right consistency.
My other paints were mixed with US floetrol (about 2:1 floetrol to paint) and thinned water to a thick-but-flowing consistency. Paint-mixing video is here! • Mixing Paint for Acryl...
Phthalo Blue (Master’s Touch Acrylics)
Sky Blue (Creative Inspirations)
Spring Rain (Alexes mica powder)
Hot Chocolate (Alexes mica powder)
Light Magenta (Master’s Touch Acrylics)
Titanium White (Creative Inspirations)
Tumbleweed (Alexes mica powder)
Brilliant Green (Alexes mica powder)
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I’m Anna, a mom of 3 living in small-town West Virginia. I’ve been fluid painting since 2019 and loving every minute!
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Music: “Swans in Flight” by Asher Fulero
Intro Music: “Good Days” by Yung Logos
This is easily the BEST instructional video I've seen. You showed four different "bloom" recipes that achieved four different results and then you lined them all up next to each so people could easily compare them to each other! That was great! 👍 Thank you!
Aw thank you! I’m glad it was helpful!
Thank you
As a collector of art supplies, I appreciate your work and time teaching me how to use them. LOL! I need to dig out my canvases, find the tote with the paints and get to work. 😊
Thank you! Good luck!
Collecter of products! Lmao, I think we all are. We need to just follow one artist, other wise it's way confusing and not cheap. To many different mixes out there.
I agree.
Thank you so much for this! It makes a huge difference to be able to see the recipes and the results of different CAs in one place. You tied everything together nicely.
You’re welcome! I’m glad it was helpful!
Im a beginner, currently working with my first acrylic paint. I've only used glue and paint. Loved the video.
Yay! If you have easy access to floetrol (Amazon, Lowe’s, etc.) I highly recommend it as an easy, cheap, and reactive pouring medium! Here’s how I mix it: czcams.com/video/mGXPSpLXPNg/video.html
Great experiment. It is always great to have options. It makes me happy to know that I have alternatives when I have run out of a product, so I can continue to paint while I wait for supplies. Thank yu for doing this.
Thanks! Yes it’s very good to know for me too!
The entire piece is beautiful. Swipe and blow out are my favorites. Thank you for sharing this Claire. It's really been useful in helping me understand each different technique.
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this!! Outstanding to see them side by side and of all the conditions I've tried, I've never tried just paint and water!!! 😂
You’re welcome! Yes definitely super helpful to compare side by side.
This is the best video! It helps beginners understand CA recipes! Thank you so much! Now I’m ready to experiment with swipes.
Yay, I’m so glad it’s helpful!
Perfect timing on this experiment. I have been trying a few different recipes to get the bloom with American floetrol. Definitely going to try just paint and water one now that I have seen your results. Thank you, I appreciate the time you spent creating this video.
I’m so happy that this was a timely experiment! I definitely have more luck with bloom swipes on a US floetrol mix than blown blooms, but maybe it’ll work great for you!
How much water to paint
@@debbiewalls245 in this video I had a 2:1 paint to water ratio. You could have a little less water if you need it a bit thicker.
New to channel. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I love the fact I can use just water with the Amsterdam white and get some beautiful cells. Looking forward to seeing more from you
Welcome! I’m glad it was helpful!
This is so wonderful to try. I will use the Amsterdam paint water recipe for sure. Thank you
You’re welcome! I’m glad it was helpful!
Well done! Thank you for showing us the different bloom recipes-great job!
Thank you!
Enjoyed watching and learning.
I’m glad!
I don't know if you realised before the end of the video, because I've paused at the point where it happened, but the secondary swipe on the 2nd bloom canvas wasn't from the correct cell activator cup. The main swipe was from the top left cup, but the secondary swipe you used the top right cup (the one you'd used for the first bloom canvas).
Well, a little minute further on and most of that secondary swipe got tilted off the edge, so it won't have made a huge difference in the results.
Haha yes someone else pointed that out! My fault for having too many cups floating around 😆
Good eye. Saw the same thing. Went “wait a minute” , hit rewind and sure enough. Surprised she didnt realze
So helped me understand better. Ty
I'm new at the pour tech. An activation style and didn't know what the activator was.. this was Soo helpful . Thank you for such a a good explanation... 🤗
Great testing of recipes! What I learned was that the KISS method worked best! Keep it simple silly! I'll try to stop over-thinking and complicating my pours! Thank you 😊
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you found it helpful!
Thank you for this. I have watched several different artists and you ,by far, have been much more informative. This is great information, especially for anyone new to this style of art. Beautiful work. Thank you. Instant sub.
Thank you so much!
I love the Spring Break green. Wow!
That was a really good video. Excellent information. Thank you so much for posting.
Thanks Andrea!
I thank you for giving such thorough instructions. There are painters who keep them secret, which is kind of paranoid. You are generous. ❤
Thank you! While I understand keeping one’s recipe to one’s self, I learned what I know by watching and learning from others. So I want to do the same!
Thank you for this. Did you realize on the second one you used the wrong c.a. on small swipe???
I was disappointed you used house paint for pillows on last 4. I was hoping you'd be using acrylic paint all the way for those 4. That being said...very informative. And very helpful. Thank you so much.💞
Baha no I didn’t realize it 😆
Feel free to use any acrylic paint for the pillow! It doesn’t play a big part in cell formation.
I saw that too. Glad i wasnt the only one. Makes it not an accurate test
Great demo! Thank you. I have used the US Floetrol 9-1, and the Minwax recipe. I have also used a Penitrol recipe that is 2-1. I have liked this one the best. But if I can get the results with just water, that would be great.
Thanks! Yes I wanted to try the penetrol recipe but didn’t have any on hand this time. But yes, just water works wonderfully!
Amazing demonstration ..... good teacher
@@wolf12many Thank you!
Nice and clear. Complete sentences and follow through. Thank you.
Thanks!
Thanks for taking the time to show this👍👍
You’re welcome! I’m glad it was helpful!
Вы юный гений!!!У Вас необыкновенный талант!Вы можете конкурировать даже с очень опытными художниками!Ваши картины,просто,потрясают!Я,как художник, очень хочу немного поучиться у Вас
Большое спасибо! Это очень любезно с вашей стороны
Me too. I used the 9 to one 2 years ago. I want to try this water and paint
@@lindajakub624 Yes you have to try it! It works so well :)
Stumbled on your channel and this video this am! Love the experiment and your refreshing energy. Very curious to see what happens with the Austrian flotrol vs Amsterdam white. Thank you for doing this!
Hi! I’m glad you enjoyed it! You’re in luck because that video comes out tomorrow morning at 9am ET 😃
hi you can check out a lady named Gilly Kube Art... she uses australian floetrol all the time with Amsterdam white paint and she gets stunning results... nice video Anna! thanks Julie in Canada
Question: Thank you so much Anna. This was so helpful.💜 I am still learning. My question is, do you have problems with torching the house paint? I keep seeing other artists say not to torch house paint because it will burn. Thank you again so much for sharing your lovely art and knowledge.
Thank you!
I have very rarely had a “skin” form on any paint from getting too close with the torch. So I do choose to lightly torch when there are lots of small bubbles. Up to each person for sure!
Thanks for doing this! I've been getting my space ready to pour with my 7yo granddaughter, and it is nice to understand the alternatives and not worry so much about waste. I now understand why and how Rinska gets her results, and uses strictly Amsterdam. Pricey though. It seems like she did a Floetrol side by side test years ago. Now I have to go look it up. This sheds light on Pouring Your heart Out's results as well. I really appreciate your doing this!
I’m glad it was helpful!
GREAT JOB . TY FOR ALL YOU DONE FOR US HERE .
Thank you!
You give such amazing tutorials! Thank you for taking the time to do these tests and comparisons for us. I do have one question though is there a specific reason why you didn’t just take the pallet knife and move some of the white pillow paint over to the corners instead of pouring more paint? The bloom itself still would’ve been able to of been stretched either way, but you’re pouring off a lot of paint and I didn’t know if there was a specific reason for that, or if it was just your personal method, or yes spreading it would’ve been detrimental to the composition…? Again, I always enjoy your videos you are such a natural teacher! Thank you for sharing your time and talent!
Thank you! Because of the deep sides of the canvas, I wanted to make sure there was PLENTY of paint to cover, especially on the corners. And the third cell activator was 2:1 Amsterdam paint to water :)
you did the research i reap the benefits. thanks a million
Sure thing! Glad it was helpful!
I’ve been using Amsterdam paint and water for 2 years now, it works fantastic as I’ve shown on my channel but you just can’t beat Aussie floetrol 👍🐨
Yes I’m looking forward to using Aussie floetrol more, now that I have a bottle. But my initial tests show that they work similarly well in a palette knife swipe!
Finally, someone I can understand! Thank you. My new Mentor!
Yay, I’m glad you find my teaching style helpful!
Love the wood conditioner effect !! And Thank you Anna for this video !! 🎉🎉
You’re very welcome!
Yes for the test with Australian floetrol and your water and paint!!!! I'm very amazed 😁
Thank you!
Honestly, I understand that with each piece there are expectations. Taking this video in, as a potential customer of a 4 piece grouping, I love both GROUPINGS. I think that all 4 together are better because of the major differences between them. The colors are SO PLEASANT that both groups are gorgeous. That said, f I were only making ONE (from each color pallet) I would want all of the magic in it. :) xo
Thank you! Yes I love both groupings, and am thinking of making an “evolution of cells” grouping of three of the pink ones 😊
Hi This is my first time watching you! Thanks so much will subscribe you are an excellent teacher!
@@carolsachse6729 Thank you!
Very cool experiment. Love the colors. Just my 1 cent
Thank you for the experiment! So very helpful! 🤗🧡
You are very welcome! I’m so glad 😊
hi, Anna. yes, your video has inspired me a lot. I've only been practicing this fluid art for about a month. so, YES it helped me a lot I just discovered you and will follow you from now on.
I’m so glad! Good luck with your fluid art!
Thanks.illustrative and I will use water. No cost.
You’re welcome!
Thank you for an excellent demonstration. Much appreciated ❤
You’re very welcome!
This is my first ever time watching you, & I'm certainly enjoying you & your work!!!
Thank you!
Oddly, the only recipe I've never tried is just amsterdam paint and water alone. My feeling is that floetrol doesn't react with floetrol in swipes so other additives are doing all the work. The minwax prestain does all the work and doesn't do enough nor do the cells hold up as well. I lose the ca color almost entirely. I'm anxious to try the paint and water combo and plan to bust out my morning errands and cleaning so I can give it a try this afternoon. Thank you very much Anna! Can't wait to see how the mixture compares with the aussie floetrol mix.
Yes, it’s crazy how well it works. I hope it goes well for you! And I’m very curious to see how it compares as well.
@@AnnaBlountArt I did a quick experiment when I finish errands, just grabbed a few paints id mixed with floetrol then mixed up amsterdam oxide black, Prussian blue and titanium white each with water only. I didn't lay a house paint base, just a thick blue I had which I laid a line of orange and gold over. I did one swipe of each color and bam! instant lacing!! All 3 amsterdam paints worked awesome. Thank you!❤
@@vegasmainiac7745 YAHOOOO!!
So what is the purpose of using Floetrol if the paint and water works?
thank you so much for this video ! i'm from france and i think i'll try with water, love the results you showed !
I’m so glad it was helpful! Good luck!
Hi Anna, your tutorial is very helpful. Thank you. I'm from W.V. as well. Logan. I'm in Missouri now and I miss my home state so much. Happy painting!
Thank you! Best of luck with your painting!
Wowwww very surprises thank you so very mutch. I learn a lot thank you ,thank you !!
I’m so glad!
Hi Anna, I watched your video and was happy that your recipe for the paint and water turned out so beautifully! Can you please share the recipe for this one please.
Thanks! All my mixtures and recipes should be listed in the video description!
Thank you for your experiment. Very useful. I love your previous work you showed!
Thank you! Yes, I really liked both of those pieces!
That’s fab brilliant to know I don’t have to buy extra expensive items 😊
Yes!!
I dont know if mentioned in other comments but on the 2nd test and 2nd swipe you took from the the wrong cup. I'm watching months later. Just found your vids tonight. Love your experiments so we can learn. Thank you for all your lessons and experiments
Yep several people have pointed that out…oops!
That window behind you made me laugh . I hope they release you soon👏🏻
Haha! Yes this is my painting cave…
I have not tried this technique, but this is lovely! I will certainly try this!
Thank you! Good luck!
Great advice and results in this Cell Activator Test. Allan
Thanks!
I’m not at the point in my journey to do blooms but found it very interesting that the titanium white and water worked best. Thanks for sharing, love to watch your videos
Yes it’s very interesting, isn’t it?
Will you please share the ratio of water to paint again?
@@crgb6724 I never quite measured. Try 2 parts paint to 1 part water and see how that works. It needs to flow really nicely off the stick…
One question and one comment. If I understood you correctly, you used Amsterdam paint along with Ansterdam Titanium white as the activate on the non Mica series. Seems like the Whire activitator would have prevented much reaction with all Amsterdam. As comment, perhaps if you had omitted any white paint with activator that was also white and substituted it with more of the pip green, your result would have been less cloudy.
Your demonstration of various alternative mixture combinations less expensive than Australian Flotrol was very enlightening. Many thanks!
My paint brands were Creative Inspirations and Master’s Touch, and the Amsterdam was only for the cell activator.
And yes, I wish I had added less white and more green. However as you see with the one “successful” cell activator, the lacing that opened up made the colors come through much better than the ones that didn’t make as much lace.
Just found your channel. Thank you for performing these tests. I heard you could get great cells with Amsterdam & water so I tried it. Nothing. My paint probably wasn't mixed correctly. I'm new at this. :)
Thanks! Yes definitely your paint mixture could have something to do with it.
What was your pouring medium for the regular paints and what ratio of Amst paint and water did you use?
first time on your channel and it is the BEST as i am new to pouring and hesitant. Last Friday & saturday tried my first pour it was disastrous. this is a clear explanation. In switzerland we do not have Floetrol... I will certainly try water with amsterdam white or black. So excited I discovered your channel and subscribed. Thank you so much Anna
Welcome to my channel! I’m so happy you found it helpful.
Amazing that paint and water is all you need to make the cell's..thankyou ❤
It really is! You’re welcome!
I am brand new to this but anxious to get it. I have a lot of mica powders I am trying to narrow down what to begin with and not spent money on something I won't use. Thank you for breaking this down
I’m glad it was helpful!
It's like acrylic pouring was made for your inquiring mind. It was fantastic. I have so many crap canvases. So satisfying
Aw thank you!
Yes Amsterdam paint and water is the best one. Thanks for sharing. ❤❤❤❤
You’re welcome!
I've never trid this kind of art, but have been watching videps of this process. I absolutely love what water does and it is free! I will definately use water to get those beautiful cells! Thank you for this! My favorit is the pint a black ones! 💕🖤💕🖤💜💜💜
Thank you! Good luck!
Thank you for sharing your time and expertise! Very helpful. Your pace was good and editing also very good.
Thank you! I strive for helpfulness and good quality video… 😊
Great experiment. Your Amsterdam paint and water have a different viscocity. I am guessing that's the key as to why it works so well. The mix with water are my favorite, too... so pretty!
Thanks! Yes I don’t fully understand the science behind it, but the density of the titanium white makes it particularly good for a cell activator.
Thank you Anna
You’re very welcome!
Very informative I’m going to try the paint and water and see how it works for me
Good luck!
The cells comes from the reaction from the swiping, not the recipe itself... just for the understanding of the reaction. it´s not a chemical process, more a physical. thats why the old mixture still works... ...nice colours and great video...
I’m sure there’s a physical aspect to the swiping, but the paint mixture that you use matters for sure!
@@AnnaBlountArt yes i agree, but I think Its important to understand that it is either the swiping or e.g. A heat gun that Will provoke the cells to emerge. The mixture does matter in terms of how Easy the cells comes forward or how Big and uniform the cells get. I just wanted to elaborate on why the old mix still Works. Not saying mixture isnt of importance :)
This was a great experiment! Definitely will try the paint/water!
Thanks! Good luck!
Wow so much work in this video!!
Yes it was a bigger project than normal, but very helpful!
AMSTERDAM TITANIUM WHITE AND WATER THE BEST. NEVER FAILS. THANK YOU FOR SHARING AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE.
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing this fantastic video, I use the US floetrol mix with the Minwax pre stain conditioner,glue, acrylic ink and Amsterdam and it works great for me, also Amsterdam T Whie and water words fine
You bet! Yes I’ve never tried adding the ink before but the paint and water works so well, I haven’t felt like I needed to 😉
Very interesting. Thank you for saving me a lot of time and money trying to figure it out myself.
You’re welcome!
I really liked those I haven’t done a lot of swipes yet but will definitely start.
Good luck!
What a great demo ... I loved that. I had no idea that amstardam and water would work like that.
Yeah it’s a great inexpensive hack!
I very much enjoyed watching this video. It was very informative and easy to understand. But, just out of curiosity, did anyone else catch the mistake that was made at 13:19 of the video? You used the wrong activator when you pulled your 2nd swipe. It just reminded me about something I learned the hard way during my 23 years in the corps. You can have the most comprehensive plan, and things will still go sidways.
Your whole setup and layout was perfect and still a mistake can happen. One can never be over prepared.
Thanks! Yes, a lot of people have pointed that out, haha! Since it was only a secondary swipe, I don’t think it greatly affected my results.
Thank you for this video I've been wanting to find a less expensive alternative to Australian floetrol.
You’re welcome! It’s a really great substitution.
Wow TY for this best experiment. 👌
You are very welcome!
Glad to find you Anna. I did my first art pour the other day. I made a huge mess trying to many things all at once. I did not have the right "tools" to use and they almost worked. Uuugh.
Whoops, I know I’ve done that! 😆
Amazing 👍 thank you.
It’s always nice to know what will work and not.
I really liked the colors of both sides.
Have a blessed day 😊
Thank you so much! Yes, it was a very helpful experiment for me too.
This is surprising! I thought Minwax would beat them all, but if this teaches us something it's that simplicity is all you need.
Yes it is really fascinating!
Thank you, this has been super helpful & I love your style and presence in the videos 🙌🏻
I prefer the Amsterdam Paint and Water in both tests. Allan.
Yes, me too! It’s a great CA!
Thanks I loved loved loved this demonstration. I was going to give up on paint pour because I never got the results I wanted. I’m going to use Amsterdam and water for a swipe and hope for the best.
Good luck!!
A think it’s so interesting!! I so you… I love this, but in my country, we don’t have everything, like Fluetrol…I just ordered.
Congratulations..👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you!
Thank You for the experimentation Anna.
You’re welcome Rebecca!
Thank you for this very informative video. It's very interesting to see them interactions with the different components. I'm still new to this cell. Definitely with a girl a few off those try..
You’re welcome!
ANNA!!! Where have you been all my acrylic pouring life?? I just found you, Anna, and I'm glad that I did. This was the first of your videos that popped up for me as a recommendation. Thank you for doing things for those of us who don't have a lot of money to spend on supplies like Australian floetrol. But love acrylic pouring. I'm on a fixed income once a month so it's very important for me to be able to get decent supplies without spending a ton of money I don't have. I'm heading into my craft room (aka 2nd bedroom) as we speak and I'm going to bring this video up in there and try your recipes. I will be exploring your other videos as well. Pleased to meet you Anna!! Oh, may I ask, were those small canvases expensive? Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. There are a lot of artists out there that don't really want to share recipes. Needless to say, I don't watch them anymore.❤
Aw thank you so much! Best of luck with your experiments.
These canvases came in packs of four for about $8-9 at Walmart, so not that bad!
@@AnnaBlountArt That is a good price! You're very welcome. Thx so much again. I'll be watching! Lol...that sounds creepy lol. I'll be viewing? Be well.
@@thesixthmonth4495 haha! Thanks, you too!
Great experiment, thanks!🙏🏻
Thank you!
Be interested in seeing the Australian floetrel in this test
Check the video description, part two of this test compares the winner to Australian floetrol!
Thank you for doing these experiments. Very helpful to me
I’m so glad!
Great Demonstrations.
Thank you!
Awesome experiment.
Thanks David! It was really cool to see how CAs that work fine on one medium don’t work at all on another.
Great experiment! Thanks
Thanks so much!
I've been using Amsterdam paints and water as a cell activator. Seems to work very well with floetrol/paint mixtures. I haven't used house paint as the pillow, just regular Artist Loft paint, floetrol and water. I've been very happy with my results.
I’m glad! And now you can be sure that it really is one of the best ones!
only the white? or other colors?
Thank you for the advice. Very helpful! I appreciate you!
✌️💜😊
Thank you Dee!
I have used American flowtrol and water recipes, it worked well, if thin pillow is used. I have also tried adding minwax not so good with thick pillow, but water and paint base example liquid tex titanium it did
Good to know!
This was Super interesting and informative… ty for sharing
I was Very surprised that just the paint water did the magic it did
Saving this video to come back to
👍🏼👍🏼❤️
Thanks!
Thank you for this. Really appreciate it
You are so welcome!
Thank you Anna for the loads of information. Very interesting results ! Could you tell me how did you make the pillow paint?
You’re welcome! The white pillow is just white house paint. I used semigloss because that’s what I had but I think satin or eggshell is better as a pillow.
The black pillow is black house paint plus some floetrol (maybe 1/4 floetrol?)
All my tries gets the same look e en when l do it ten different ways. I want cells!
Sorry! What CA do you use, and what mixture for the rest of your paints?
I suspect that the reason you got fewer cells in the black pillow examples was because you mixed floetrol with the black pillow paint. The cells emerge as a result of the contrasting viscosity (& therefore surface tension) of the different layers, so if your base layer is thinned with floetrol to a more similar consistency to your colors/cell activator then there won’t be a differential sufficient to cause a significant physical reaction between the layers (i.e. the thinner and thicker paints won’t be able to sink through each other & break each other’s surface tension to cause cells because it’ll be more like one continuous fluid (which is probably also why the white & black blended to grey so readily, rather than staying separated, in addition to the fact that simply being thinned out to a more liquidy state enables faster & more complete blending in general).
Also, I’d never heard of a 1:9 ratio of paint to floetrol- that seems like a lot, but maybe for cell activator it’s not unheard of. The one other factor that came to mind is whether you strained your US floetrol, because in my understanding it seems like people say that’s crucial if it’s the US & not the Australian version. But interesting experiment! Gave me a lot to think about. I’ll have to try just titanium white paint & water because I have yet to achieve a really consistent recipe & certainly not one that affordable.
Actually my black house paint was thicker than the white, so I thinned it only to the equivalent pillow consistency. I also did so to demonstrate that pillow paint didn’t have to be just house paint - it could be a thick floetrol mix as well.
And I always strain my floetrol.
Great stuff. Learned a lot! Thank you🙏🏻
You’re welcome Peter!
I’ve always heard that you can’t torch house paint because doing so will cause a skin. 😳
Yes someone else asked about that. I’ve never had a skin form unless I got too close to the paint.