Jackson Pollock

What You Need:

• Heavy Paper or Primed Canvas if you have it
• A roll of butcher paper (optional)
• Paint
• Brushes
• Water
• A warm day
• Painting smocks or garbage bags with arm and head holes cut out
• A garden hose or bucket of water to make clean up easier
• Old towels

What You Do:

It is important to note that this lesson is best attempted outside.

1. Jackson Pollock (1912-1956) was an American Abstract Expressionist painter. Study the works of Jackson Pollock and discuss his technique. He would literally drip paint on his canvases in order to create his paintings.

2. You and your tiny artists should wear a paint smock or a garbage bag with arm and head holes cut out of it.

3. All involved should remove their shoes and socks (this can get messy).

4. Roll out a section of butcher paper on the ground outside. The butcher paper is to "catch" any spills and drips.

5. Place various colors of paint in small containers (yogurt or margarine containers are great). Put these containers on a newspaper covered picnic table or other high surface if possible. This will prevent any accidents involving you or your tiny artists stepping in the paint.

6. Before beginning, walk your tiny artists through some relaxation and deep breathing exercises. Explain that you are preparing to focus on the creative task at hand. Make your kiddos aware that this is not the time for reckless play and that they should drip and sploosh their paint carefully.

7. Place sheet of paper (or canvas) on the butcher paper. (One sheet per child or one per group of 2 children) For teachers of younger students, you will probably want no more than 4-6 students working at a time.

8. Using paintbrushes, your tiny artists should stand directly above their paper (several feet apart from one another) and drip paint onto the paper below. They should be encouraged to use as many colors as they choose.

9. Remember, there is a method to this style of painting. Colors should be chosen carefully and paint should be applied to the paper as drippy lines.

10. Because this is an "action painting" your tiny artists should have the opportunity to move around as they paint.

11. Once the paper is covered with paint, it is time to wash up. This is where a hose comes in handy.

12. Dry and display the work on a clothesline or a chain link fence. Talk about the work.