Splash & Splatter Lesson Plan

1. Jackson Pollock (1912-1956) was a major artist in the abstract expressionist movement. He was known for his "drip technique" of pouring or splashing paint onto a horizontal surface. He often used the force of his whole body to paint, and some people have described it as a frenetic dancing style. Have students view images of some of his works and view video clips of Pollock creating his art. Have a discussion about the emotions this style might evoke. Does it convey freedom? Movement? Spontaneity? Excitement?
2. Have students create their own drip painting. They can begin by placing a piece of paper in a box. Then they can use sweeping motions to drip paint from a paint brush or splash a bit from a container, one color at a time, onto the paper.
3. When the art is dry, have them present it to the class and talk about how the drip technique process affected their creativity and expression.
4. Display paintings in the classroom. Provide time at the close of the activity for students to discuss how their movements created unusual, creative aspects to their paintings.

ARTS: Speculate about processes an artist uses to create a work of art.

ARTS: Explore and invent art-making techniques and approaches.

Have students explore the life and works of Sam Francis (1923-1994) who also used the drip technique. Suggestions include "Blue Mandala" (1974), "Untitled/SFE-029" (1983), "Untitled/SF 340" (1989), or "Dense and Now" (1989).

Read "Action Jackson" by Jan Greenberg, Sandra Jordan, and Robert Andrew Parker, which includes comments made by Pollock himself. Discuss how the illustrations pay tribute to Pollock without imitating his art.