INSPIRATION ARTIST:
Jackson Pollock was an American Abstract Expressionist who is best known for his “action painting” technique. Pollock layered drips and splatters which garnered praise (with high dollar sales) as well as criticism (for its complete abstraction to the point of randomness).
MY CURRENT QUESTION:
Could I integrate some of Pollock’s techniques for the beginning layers on a piece?
With that in mind, I started a new canvas with lots of watered-down splatters, layered in slightly different shades of green.
Recently, I have been learning about very thin layers of paint or glaze and how they look as they build. I’ve thinned using water and mediums and, no surprise, different looks result. One unexpected new love: watered down black gesso which creates murky and mottled shades of deep gray.
Abstract artists talk about wanting to reduce control of what’s happening so the exploration and discovery is even fuller; these thinned paints and glazes are an easy addition to that process.
So, could I use Pollock-inspired splatter to help build MY first layers? Absolutely and I love where their marks show through!
FUTURE
So, what’s next?
I’ve been working on a series of flowers, and I don’t feel “done” yet. But, after completing a full-on painting using only acrylics, I’m ready to head back toward mixing my media. I’ll take some of what I loved in the last painting (splatter play) and add it into a more varied and textured mixed media result.
Also, as it greens up outside and gets warmer, I’ve packed up an “artist tote” that will stay in the car, ready to stop and sketch– which will be new to me! Definitely looking forward to some outdoor art experiences!
May 1, 2022
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