Jackson Pollock and Action Painting Workshop

Jackson Pollock is an American, abstract expressionist artist who is known for creating the most iconic abstract styles in the history of modern art. During his early life, Pollock experienced Native American Culture which led to influences and similarities through his artwork. When he moved to New York in 1929 he was also inspired and influenced by Mexican Mural Painters and works by Picasso. His involvement with gestural painting was inspired partly by the sand paintings of the American Indians and partly by surrealism. Jackson started to create techniques of dripping trails of paint onto a canvas laid flat on the floor which was named “action painting”. In 1940 he introduced this technique because he was aware of human vulnerability after World War II and he wanted to express his concerns through abstract art and “action painting”. To create the action paintings, canvases were set on the floor or laid out against a wall, rather than being fixed onto an easel. Then Jackson used the style where he would allow the paint to drip from the can at different angles to create effects onto the canvas. Instead of using a brush, he would add depth to his images using knives, trowel or sticks. The pieces reflect the artist’s emotions, expression and moods when he created them which makes the artwork individual and unique.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfwUxQrDGqw- This Video presents Jackson Pollock creating an "Action Piece" painting.

Jackson Pollock in action

 

 



Pollock's work

On Thursday 23^rd of February we completed an “Action Painting” workshop inspired by the works of Jackson Pollock. To start the task we collected a variety of paints and materials to create a Jackson Pollock “Action Painting” style piece. Once the collected the materials I needed, I started to set up the environment for where the action piece was going to be create. In order to film and document my action-painting a clear piece of Perspex was used so that the camera could be place underneath to capture the paint being placed onto the surface. By placing the camera underneath the Perspex it gave a special effect as the video appears to be covered in paint. Also, by filming the development of the action-painting, it relates to Jackson Pollock’s work because he built up his pieces with layers of paint and tools. I decided to use primary colours to create my action painting piece because they are bold colours that are eye-catching and relate to Jackson Pollock’s work as he used the same colours for his work. I also used primary colours because they would stand out on the Perspex when the filming it. To build up the piece I created, I used different techniques to place the paint onto paper which gave a unique effect like Jackson Pollock’s work. Once I completed the action-painting the final outcome was presented on the Perspex.