Create Your Own Jackson Pollock Painting

Looking at Jackson Pollock’s art makes a lot of people want to try it for themselves. Make sure to get permission before trying this.

Materials Needed:

1 Queen Size Flat Sheet (any color will do)
3-4 Buckets of Paint in Different Colors
Plastic Cups (one for each color paint)
1 Large Paintbrush
1 Paint Stirring Stick
1 Bucket of Water (for cleaning your brush and stir stick)

This is a messy project so be sure to wear old clothes and work outside. You should still lay out a drop cloth or newspaper to protect your work space. Spread the sheet on the ground and place rocks on the corners to keep it from blowing away.

Choose your first color. Use your brush to splatter the paint across your sheet. Do the same with your stir stick. Notice the difference between the paint splatters caused by each. Fill a plastic cup with paint and pour or drip the color on your sheet. It will be easier to control where the paint goes if you use a cup rather than the whole bucket of paint. When you think you have enough of your first color, repeat with your second color, then your third, then your fourth. If you can still see the sheet beneath the paint, keep adding to your creation.

Remember, Jackson Pollock always controlled the drips and splatters. He always knew where he was putting his colors and how he wanted his masterpiece to look.

When you’ve finished, let your painting dry. This may take a while because you’ve used a lot of paint. How does your artwork compare to Jackson Pollock’s? Was it as easy as you thought it would be?

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If you don’t have the space outdoors to do this project, you can try a smaller version by following the directions below.

Materials Needed:

1 Piece of Thick Art Paper
Poster Paints in Several Colors
Paint Brush
Unsharpened Pencil
Cup of Water
Scissors
Cardboard box


If at all possible, I still recommend going outside. Otherwise, be sure to lay down newspapers to protect your workspace, and avoid working on carpet. Cut off the top and one side of your box. Lay your sheet of paper in the bottom of the box.

Choose your first color. Use your brush to splatter the paint across your sheet of paper. Do the same with your unsharpened pencil. Notice the difference between the paint splatters caused by each. Make sure not be too crazy with your splattering; the sides of the box should catch any stray paint. You can pour the poster paint straight from the cups they came in. When you think you have enough of your first color, repeat with your second color, then your third, then your fourth. If you can still see the paper beneath the paint, keep adding to your creation.

Remember, Jackson Pollock always controlled the drips and splatters. He always knew where he was putting his colors and how he wanted his masterpiece to look.

When you’ve finished, let your painting dry. This may take a while because you’ve used a lot of paint. How does your artwork compare to Jackson Pollock’s? Was it as easy as you thought it would be?

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