Easy summer craft ideas for kids – Jackson Pollock “Drip Painting” Art
Activity Duration: 30 mins - 1.5 hours
Creating Jackson Pollock art with children is a fun, messy activity that they will love !!
Paul Jackson Pollock is an American painter famous for his "drip technique" of pouring or splashing paint onto a flat surface. Pollock would use his whole body while creating his paintings, in a method that was almost like a dance. His technique became known as “Action Art”.
“Drip painting” is a perfect summer craft for children. You can lay the paper or canvas out on a garden or patio, so that making a mess can be part of the creative process and is much easier to clean up afterwards !
This is a craft activity that would work with children from 3 years and upwards, but I feel it is perfect for 5 - 10 year olds because you can show and explain the work of Jackson Pollock so that they understand the reference point for the artwork they will be creating.
Table of Contents
What style of art is Jackson Pollock known for?
Why do children love creating art in the style of Jackson Pollock?
What materials are required to create art in the style of Jackson Pollock?
Who was Jackson Pollock?
Jackson Pollock was born in Wyoming, US in 1912 and moved to New York as a young adult, studying at the Art Student League. In 1943, Pollock signed a gallery contract with the famous art collector, Peggy Guggenheim.
Jackson Pollock’s work was inspired by artists such as Thomas Hart Benton, Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró. He was also hugely influenced by his wife, the artist Lee Krasner.
He was most famous for his “drip technique” of pouring or splashing paint onto a flat surface. Over the years some people have ridiculed his “drip technique'' as random and lacking in skill, but overall he is seen as an innovative and hugely influential artist.
What style of art is Jackson Pollock known for?
Jackson Pollock is a leading figure, along with artists such as Mark Rothko and Willem de Kooning, of the art movement called “Abstract Expressionism”. Abstract Expressionism developed in New York in the 1940’s and 50’s. The style aimed at expressing emotions, with large brush strokes or mark making, with a spontaneous and impulsive feel.
What is the “drip technique”?
Unlike traditional artists, Jackson Pollock would place his canvas flat on the floor, instead of upright in an easel. He would then splash, drip and pour the paint over the canvas. He would also use sticks or paint brushes to flick paint at the canvas. He didn’t use traditional oil or acrylic paints, instead he used household paints.
What is “action art”?
“Action art” is a method of using movement and emotions to apply paint onto a canvas, as opposed to a more traditional, careful and controlled approach. There are no rules to how the paint is applied; dripping, pouring and splashing are typical methods, but anything is possible. The result of the painting is as much about the process involved in applying the paint as it is about the finished result.
Why do children love creating art in the style of Jackson Pollock?
Trying to recreate the feel of a Jackson Pollock “drip painting” is great fun for children. It encourages freedom and expression.
They love having permission to go wild and make a mess. This is why this is a great summer activity for kids; it can get very messy, so I would advise doing this activity in a garden or outside space.
If you do not have an outside space, it’s still possible to have great fun doing this activity, just be sure to wear aprons and carefully cover all surfaces.
What materials are required to create art in the style of Jackson Pollock?
To get started, you need very little equipment and in many cases you can use what you can find around the house.
An old sheet (or sheets) or large piece of paper to cover the ground
Apron or overall
Paper, card or a canvas
Poster paints (paints must be washable)
Note: If you have paints in the house already, you can add water to thin them out and make them go further. I can recommend Crayola washable kids paint if you would like to buy from newA variety of utensils - E.g. Paint brushes / Sticks / Disposable cutlery / An old toothbrush
Note: Whatever you have available will work well to create different marksPaint pots
Drip painting - Instructions
This can be a very messy activity. Ideally lay your old sheet or sheets down in an outdoor space such as a patio or garden. If you are doing this activity inside, make sure you cover the space and yourselves thoroughly.
Place your paper or canvas in the middle of the sheet.
If you have a large enough box or container, it can be useful to place your paper or canvas in it to contain any mess.
Use water to thin down your paints if necessary. This will ensure the ‘dripping’ effect and make them go further.
Drip, splash and fling paints onto the paper or canvas
Use the various utensils to continue making marks on the paper or canvas
Encourage the child/children to move around as they apply the paint
Encourage the child to move with freedom, even dancing and try not to restrict their mark-making
The fun of this craft is that there are no rules !
Using this technique, and colour combinations, children can take their understanding further and begin to use this artform to convey different feelings and effects.
Jackson Pollock Craft Gallery
I hope you have found this guide helpful and enjoy this activity as much as we do. If you have made Jackson Pollock Art, I would love to see it! You can email me at [email protected].
