Jackson Pollock was an American painter known for his abstract expressionist paintings. His artistic method included laying a canvas on the floor then moving quickly across it, and letting the paint fall as drops and lines thrown randomly across the canvas. Pollock was influenced by a type of art called automatism. Automatism is when you don’t plan what you draw or paint, but use chance and accident to make your work. Check out his piece entitled Number 1A. This piece includes several of Pollocks hand and footprints. Also look at videos online to see the technique used Jackson Pollock.
Activity: Create a painting in the style of Jackson Pollock.Alternatives: We used string to create a pattern in this art piece. You can use paint or any type of material you want the help form patterns.
Materials:
● Paper
● Scissors
● Paint that you can squirt or drip with a brush
Paint brush
● String
● A cloth, garbage bag, or cardboard to put your paper on when you paint
Directions:
1 - Find a place where you can do this project so that your paining stays on your paper.
2 - Place your paper on a cloth, garbage bag, or cardboard to protect whatever surface you’re painting on and to keep your mess contained.
3 - Randomly toss your string on the paper.
4 - Get your paint and squirt it all over your paper. You can do this from a paint bottle, or by dipping your paint brush into paint and then letting the paint drip onto the paper by creating movement with your brush.
5 - When you're done with the paint, take the string off of your paper.
Let your project dry before lifting your paper to avoid dripping onto other surfaces.
Remember, you’re the artist here! Get inspired, be creative, and, most importantly, have fun!
