W01 – The Cup Flip

Discovering Creativity Through Color and Flow

The Cup Flip is a hands-on visual arts workshop that introduces students to the exciting world of acrylic pouring. Through experimentation, observation, and creative decision-making, students create unique abstract paintings while discovering how colors, movement, and fluid interactions can produce unexpected and beautiful results.

Each student creates an original artwork and experiences the joy of artistic exploration in an environment that encourages curiosity, confidence, and self-expression.

Workshop Concept

Students learn how acrylic paint, pouring medium, and color combinations interact to create dynamic visual effects. Through a series of guided activities, they explore color selection, contrast, viscosity, layering techniques, and the movement of fluids across a canvas.

Using the Cup Flip technique, students create a one-of-a-kind abstract painting while developing observation skills, patience, and confidence in their creative choices. The workshop emphasizes experimentation and discovery, demonstrating that there is often more than one successful path to a meaningful result.

No previous artistic experience is required.

Educational Value

  • Encourages creativity and self-expression

  • Introduces color theory and contrast

  • Develops observation and decision-making skills

  • Demonstrates basic principles of fluid behavior and viscosity

  • Promotes experimentation and problem-solving

  • Builds confidence through artistic exploration

  • Develops fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination

  • Encourages students to embrace unexpected outcomes

Students Will

  • Mix and prepare acrylic paints

  • Explore color combinations and contrast

  • Learn the Cup Flip pouring technique

  • Observe how fluids interact and move

  • Create an original abstract painting

  • Develop confidence in their creative decisions

  • Take home a unique artwork of their own creation

Suitable For

Grades 6–12 (adaptable)

Part of the I AM AN ARTIST Program

Where art and academia connect.