Hydro dipping is a form of painting that has taken the art world by storm – and like me, people all over the world are trying their hands at the craft. It is a unique form of creating art and involves an intricate and satisfying process that’s a feast for the eyes and many other senses. But, do you know how to hydro dip with acrylic paint?
Hydro dipping is a spectacular film-based painting activity that’s making waves on social media. In fact, if you search for #HydroDipping on Instagram and TikTok, you’re likely to find plenty of inspiration. In fact, check out this YouTube video to start!
But, is hydro dipping right for you – and is it as expensive as it looks? After all, art supplies alone tend to cost a lot – but thankfully, that isn’t the case with hydro dip projects. In fact, hydro dipping is so popular in part thanks to its easy set-up and cheap supplies. You do not have to be a trained or expert artist to make some fantastic hydro-dipped artwork, either – great news for newbies like me!
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at what hydro dipping is and how you can do it yourself – even with acrylic paint.
What is hydro dipping, anyway?
Hydro dipping, also known as water transfer painting, is the process of placing a hydro dip film onto an object. The film is usually covered with printed graphics, or a pattern and colors, depending on the artist’s choice (that’s you!).
As the name suggests, the process revolves around water. Hydro film is placed on top of a tub of water, dissolving to then release the pattern from the film.
From here, the object to be painted is submerged, and as water surrounds it, the print is transferred onto its surface. Voila – leave to dry, and you’re done!
Hydro dipping is a great way of getting complex patterns onto objects, specifically those that would be difficult to decorate in any other way. Hydro dipping can be used on all sorts of 3D objects, providing eye-catching results in a short space of time.
Hydro dipping with acrylic paint – is it worth it?
Yes! You don’t need to buy any particularly fancy paints to get started with hydro dipping. Any acrylic paint standard and color will do the job perfectly.
However, some painters worry that acrylic paint isn’t great for hydro dipping purely due to the weight of the paint. And, to some extent, those are worthy concerns!
In most cases, acrylic paint is usually pretty heavy and, therefore, will not float properly on top of a tub of water. Therefore, the process of hydro dipping can become a little tricky, and can potentially end with disastrous results. That’s why it is so important to know how to prepare the acrylic paint properly before applying it to your water.
How to hydro dip with acrylic paint
First of all, let’s address this weight issue – you will need to ensure that your acrylic paint floats on the water.
If acrylic paint is left as is and just dabbed into the water, it could mix and blend, as opposed to forming a unified layer on top. This layer is crucial in the hydro dipping process as it is what will wrap around your object.
Should the paint just mix with the water, you will simply be dipping your object into very runny paint and will not get the imprint of a design or quality paint job in the end! So, for the acrylic paint to be light enough to float on the water, you will need to mix the paint thoroughly with silicone oil or glycerin before adding it to your tub.
These components will reduce the density of the paint so that it can float without mixing and diluting.
However, if your acrylic paint is already very liquid, it could be worth mixing the water with some borax or cornstarch to make the paint thicker.
Choose your dipping method!
You can use one of two easy methods for hydro dipping with acrylic paint. One is ideal for various objects, while the other is best suited to soft fabrics and textiles.
Method One
For the best all-around dipping experience, start by choosing the colors and paint you wish to use, bearing in mind all the different shades and hues you may need to mix up your pattern. Then, mix the water for the tub with equal parts of borax / cornstarch.
Choose your first color and drop it into the water. Then, you can start to add as many different colors as you want. To make fun and super-intricate patterns, use a clean stick or toothpick to swirl the paint as you desire. Remember to use something you can clean or rinse down – or that you don’t mind staining permanently!
Carefully place your object into the water to let it mix, then slowly remove and leave it standing to dry. It can take a few hours to dry properly, so leave it in an open, undisturbed area.
Method Two
Alternatively, a second paint dipping method I’ve tried recently might just be the ticket. This option is commonly used for fabrics, papers, and all kinds of flat and thin objects! While many consider hydro dipping with acrylic paint to be purely for solid, 3D shapes, you can also create wonderful paper, card, and fabric using a twist on the standard technique.
For paper marbling (hydro dipping with acrylic paint), start by mixing borax / cornstarch and water in a one-to-three ratio in a tray. An old baking tray will do, but remember not to use it for cooking after you’ve given this a try!
Then, prepare the colors you plan on using, ensuring they have the same consistency (to ensure that they float the same on the water).
Use a toothpick, paintbrush, or other tools to dip the paint into the water. You can pour it, but with paper marbling, it is often best to introduce different paints slowly and in smaller parts to make more interesting designs. Try it out for yourself!
Now, you can start to swirl the colors and different sections of paint together to create interesting and original designs.
When ready, take your paper or fabric and gently lay it onto the tray. The paint should cover the surface of your sheet, encompassing it entirely.
Once the paint has covered your sheet, take both corners on one side and gently lift it out. Ensure that any excess paint drips away – but caution, if you use paper, avoid shaking it to remove any excess paint and water – otherwise, it’s likely to tear.
Once finished, lay your painted sheet on a dry, non-stick surface, or hang it up from the corners and leave it to dry. It should not take too long to fully dry out, but a piece of fabric may take a full day – patience is key.
This water dip painting technique can help you reinvent some of your favorite fabrics and create fun and pretty paper – ideal for using in greetings cards, as wrapping paper, for scrapbooking, or even for framing as your own art. You choose!
What are the benefits of hydro dip painting?
Hydro dipping is becoming increasingly popular, especially with online videos prompting more people to try this innovative and efficient painting technique.
Some of the biggest benefits of hydro painting include the fact that the print will not shrink, there are no cutting edges, and the applied print is weatherproof. It’s also amazingly cost-effective compared to other pattern painting techniques.
Many also enjoy hydro dip painting simply because it is ‘something different’ – and the process of dipping objects into paint to create whole new looks is incredibly satisfying!
Hydro dipping is also extremely safe and requires no special gear! You can also achieve fantastic results inside and outside without worrying about getting the paint everywhere.
As more and more people are trying hydro dipping, it is also important to note that this kind of painting can be achieved at home. You do not necessarily need top-notch and expensive equipment in order to get fantastic hydro dipping results.
In fact, as opposed to printing the graphics for the objects, another efficient way of hydro dipping appears to be using general acrylic paint. It’s a wonderful activity for you and the kids to bond over, too – and you may already have the materials you need at home right now!
Conclusion
Hydro dipping with acrylic paint may sound like a complicated process, but, as you can see, there really isn’t too much to it! In fact, the hardest part can be getting the consistency right. It might take you a few goes before you get it just right, which is why it is always good to start with the corners of your tubs or trays, and a piece of fabric or small object you do not mind spoiling in case of mistakes.
Once you have found the perfect consistency, you’ll be set to make some incredible, unique looks – why not give it a try? It’s one of many craft ideas that’s only building in popularity.
Originally posted 2022-10-06 11:39:04.