jan 1, 1940 - Drip Painting

Description:

Pollock was first introduced to liquid paint in 1936 at an experimental workshop operated in New York City by the Mexican muralist David Alfaro Siqueiros. He then started pouring paint in the early 1940s, an example would be in the painting "Male and Female" and Compostition with Pouring I." The beauty of the drip paintings was that there was no focal point on the painting and the size of the canvas did not impact the style of the piece. Another unique feature that the painting has no focal point and instead of displaying a scene, it conveys an emotion or a feeling.

After moving to Springs, he began painting with his canvases laid out on the floor. After doing so, Pollock created what was later called his "drip" technique. He used synthetic resin-based paints called alkyd enamels which air dries into a hard, glossy finish. This type of paint is usually used to coat surfaces that are outdoors or subjected to hard wear or variations in temperatures. At the time this was a novel medium. Pollocked used hardened burshes, sticks, turkey basters and syringes as paint applicators.

The technique of dripping painting was described as action painting, which allows the artist to be more creative and less uptight when painting. Also Pollock's method of painting allows him to view his artwork and apply paint at from all directions around the canvas.

One possible influence on Pollock's drip painting technique may be Unkrainian-American artist Janet Sobel who created similar pieces such as the one in the icon. Pollock first saw her work in 1945 in a gallery. Pollock also has admitted that Sobel's paintings had made an impression on him.

Added to timeline:

Date:

Images: