Inspiring examples of examples of splatter painting techniques in acrylics

Real-world examples of splatter painting techniques in acrylics

Let’s skip the theory lecture and jump straight into the paint. When people ask for examples of examples of splatter painting techniques in acrylics, what they really want is: What does this look like in actual paintings, and how do I do it myself? So let’s walk through real, studio-tested ways artists are using splatter right now.

You’ll see how splatter shows up in:

• Starry skies and galaxies
• Ocean spray and rain
• Portraits and figures
• Street-art inspired abstracts
• Nature scenes and florals
• Mixed-media and digital-plus-paint hybrids

We’ll unpack each example of technique with simple steps you can follow at home.

Galaxy skies: one of the best examples of splatter painting in acrylics

A classic example of splatter painting is the starry night sky. You’ve probably seen those deep blue or black canvases sprinkled with tiny white dots that look like stars. That effect is almost always done with acrylic splatter.

Here’s how artists typically build it:

First, they paint a dark gradient background—navy, black, deep purple, maybe a hint of magenta. Once that’s dry, they load a stiff brush or old toothbrush with slightly thinned white acrylic. By pulling back the bristles and releasing them, they create a fine mist of tiny dots across the surface.

To push the effect further, some artists add a second layer of splatter in off-white, pale blue, or soft yellow for depth. A few larger stars are added by tapping the brush closer to the canvas or even dotting with a small round brush.

This is one of the best examples of splatter painting techniques in acrylics because it shows how you can be both loose and intentional: the splatter looks random, but the color choices and layering are carefully planned.

Ocean spray and stormy seas: dramatic examples of energy

Another powerful example of splatter painting in acrylics shows up in seascapes. Think crashing waves, sea foam, and wind-whipped water.

Artists paint the ocean and sky first—deep blues, greens, and grays. After that base is dry, they mix a slightly thick white acrylic and load a fan brush or an old bristle brush. With a quick flick toward the area where the wave crashes, they splatter white across the crest of the wave and forward into the air.

Some painters use a palette knife as a “launch pad,” tapping the brush against it so the splatter stays focused near the wave. Others use their finger to flick paint from a toothbrush for finer spray. These examples of examples of splatter painting techniques in acrylics show how splatter can suggest motion, not just decoration.

In 2024–2025, you’ll see a lot of this style on social media: time-lapse videos of artists building moody, cinematic ocean scenes, then finishing with that satisfying final layer of white spray.

Expressive portraits: subtle but powerful examples include face and hair details

Splatter isn’t just for landscapes. Some of the most interesting modern examples of splatter painting techniques in acrylics show up in portraits and figures.

Here’s how it often works:

An artist paints a fairly realistic face or figure—clean edges, solid shading. Then, instead of leaving the background plain, they introduce splatter around the head and shoulders. Colors usually echo what’s already in the painting: a hint of the skin tone, hair color, or clothing color, but thinned and flicked outward.

For hair, splatter can suggest flyaway strands or motion, especially in dance or sports scenes. A few bold splatters across the shoulder or chest area can give the impression of light, energy, or even emotional intensity.

These portraits are a great example of how splatter can live right on the border between realism and abstraction. The face feels grounded and recognizable, while the splatter makes the painting feel alive and contemporary.

Street-art inspired abstracts: bold, layered examples of acrylic splatter

If you love graffiti, murals, and street art, you’ve already seen more examples of splatter painting techniques in acrylics than you might realize.

Many abstract painters borrow from street-art aesthetics: vibrant colors, big gestural marks, and layered splatter as a final accent. Here’s a typical process you can try:

First, block in large shapes of color with a wide brush or sponge. Once that’s dry, add a few graphic lines or shapes with a liner brush or paint marker. Then come the splatters: neon accents, black or white drips, and scattered dots that cross over earlier layers.

Instead of splattering randomly, artists often aim their splatter along diagonals or across focal points, using it to guide the eye. The best examples of this approach feel energetic but not chaotic, because the painter is thinking about balance and contrast while they work.

In recent years, this kind of work has become popular in home decor and office spaces, especially in the U.S. and Europe, thanks to its bold color and modern vibe.

Nature and florals: gentle examples include pollen, petals, and light

Not every splatter painting has to scream with high energy. Some of my favorite examples of examples of splatter painting techniques in acrylics are quiet, delicate nature scenes.

Picture a loose bouquet of flowers painted in soft acrylic washes. Around the flowers, the artist adds tiny splatters of yellow and white to suggest pollen or dust motes floating in the air. In a forest scene, they might splatter pale green or soft gold to suggest light filtering through leaves.

For these softer looks, artists usually thin the paint a bit more and hold the brush farther from the surface so the splatters are tiny and scattered. The goal is to create atmosphere, not big, dramatic marks.

These are great beginner projects: you can paint a very simple flower shape or silhouette, then use splatter to add complexity and interest without needing advanced drawing skills.

Mixed-media and digital hybrids: 2024–2025 trends and real examples

A big trend in 2024–2025 is combining examples of splatter painting techniques in acrylics with other media—both traditional and digital.

Here are a few directions artists are exploring:

Acrylic plus ink and markers
Artists lay down acrylic backgrounds, then use India ink, acrylic ink, or paint markers for line work. Splatter comes in at the end with either acrylic or ink, often in metallics like gold and copper. This mix of sharp lines and wild splatter shows up a lot in illustration and poster-style art.

Acrylic plus collage
Some painters glue down paper, magazine clippings, or printed text, seal it with acrylic medium, then splatter over the top. The splatter helps visually unify all the collage pieces, tying everything together.

Acrylic plus digital editing
A growing number of artists paint with acrylics, scan or photograph their work, then add extra “splatter” digitally in apps like Procreate or Photoshop. They may also do the reverse: design digitally, print on canvas, then add real acrylic splatter on top for texture. These hybrid approaches create real examples of how analog and digital art are blending in current practice.

If you’re curious about mixed-media techniques and safety when working with different materials and adhesives, it’s always smart to check reliable art education resources, such as the Smithsonian Learning Lab or university art departments like UCLA Arts.

Tools and materials behind these examples of splatter techniques

To understand these examples of splatter painting techniques in acrylics, it helps to know what tools are doing the work. Small changes in tools and paint thickness can completely change the look of your splatter.

Brushes

• Stiff bristle brushes give you chunkier, more directional splatter.
• Old toothbrushes create fine, mist-like dots—great for galaxies and subtle texture.
• Fan brushes can throw paint in a slightly spread-out pattern, perfect for ocean spray.

Other tools

• Palette knives act like a hard edge you can tap against to control where the splatter lands.
• Craft sticks or the handle of a brush can be used to flick paint from another brush.
• Spray bottles with diluted acrylic create a hazy, soft “splatter” that feels more like fog or mist.

Paint consistency
This is where a lot of beginners struggle. Too thick, and nothing moves. Too thin, and you get watery stains instead of crisp dots.

A simple rule of thumb: aim for the consistency of heavy cream. You can thin acrylics with water in small amounts, but for better durability and color strength, many artists prefer acrylic mediums recommended by art schools and museums. For general safety and ventilation tips when working with art materials, organizations like the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offer reliable guidance on indoor air quality and chemical exposure.

How to practice: turning examples into your own splatter style

Seeing examples of examples of splatter painting techniques in acrylics is helpful, but your style only develops when you experiment. Here’s a simple way to practice without burning through expensive canvases.

Start with a few sheets of mixed-media or watercolor paper. Paint simple backgrounds: one dark, one light, one in mid-tone colors. On each sheet, test different tools—brushes, toothbrushes, even your fingers—to see how the splatter changes.

Then, pick one of the real examples we’ve talked about and loosely copy the idea, not the exact painting:

• For a galaxy, try a dark gradient and white splatter.
• For ocean spray, paint a single wave shape and add splatter only on the crest.
• For a portrait, sketch a simple silhouette and splatter around the edges.

As you do this, ask yourself:

• Do I like big, bold splatters or tiny, delicate ones?
• Do I prefer high contrast (black and white) or colorful splatter?
• Do I want splatter to be the main event, or just a subtle accent?

Your answers will guide you toward the best examples of techniques that fit your personality and creative goals.

FAQ: Common questions about examples of splatter painting techniques in acrylics

Q: What are some beginner-friendly examples of splatter painting techniques in acrylics?
Beginner-friendly examples of techniques include galaxy skies, abstract backgrounds with one or two splatter colors, and simple silhouettes (like trees or flowers) with splatter behind them. These projects don’t require perfect drawing skills, and you can focus on learning how paint thickness and tools affect the look of your splatter.

Q: Can you give an example of how to control where the splatter lands?
One practical example of control is using a palette knife or piece of cardboard as a shield. Hold it near the area where you want splatter, and flick your brush against the edge so the paint bounces forward in a focused spray. You can also mask off areas with tape or paper if you want to keep parts of your painting clean.

Q: Are there any safety concerns with acrylic splatter painting?
Acrylics are water-based, but you still don’t want paint in your eyes or mouth. Wear old clothes, consider eye protection if you’re really flinging paint, and work in a ventilated space. For general information on art material safety and indoor air quality, you can check resources from the NIH and the EPA. If you have specific health conditions or sensitivities, consulting a medical site like Mayo Clinic can help you make informed choices.

Q: What’s the difference between splatter and drip techniques in acrylics?
Splatter comes from flicking or throwing paint so it breaks into dots and small marks. Drips usually come from letting thinned paint run down the surface from top to bottom (or at an angle). Many modern painters combine both, using splatter for texture and drips for a sense of gravity and flow.

Q: How do I stop my splatter from looking accidental or messy?
Look back at the best real examples: they all have structure. Before you splatter, decide on a focal point and a general direction for your energy—diagonal across the canvas, circling a face, or radiating from a wave. Limit your splatter colors to one to three shades that are already in your painting. That way, even wild marks feel like they belong.

Splatter painting with acrylics is less about chaos and more about controlled freedom. By studying these examples of examples of splatter painting techniques in acrylics—from galaxies to portraits to mixed-media experiments—you give yourself a toolbox of ideas. The next step is simple: lay out your paints, protect your floor, and start flicking. Your own best examples are waiting on the other side of that first splash.