Jack the Dripper - Discussing Jackson Pollock

By Benedict Hunter

Jackson Pollock is probably one of the most recognizable names when it comes to the world of abstract expressionism. He is most famous for his paintings that showcase his "Drip Technique" like in No.5 1948 which prompted the New York Times to fondly refer to him as "Jack the Dripper" in 1956. The nickname effectively encapsulated what Pollock's art was all about, but it also pigeonholed him to the drip technique. But, nonetheless "Jack the Dripper" is certainly one of the greatest artists in American Art History that has effectively immortalized abstract expressionalism the way Braque and Picasso did for Cubism.

Born on the 28th of January 1912, he spent his youth in Arizona and later on in Chico, California. He studied in Los Angeles at the 'Manual Arts High School'. He also managed to experience Native American Culture when he went out with his father during his land surveys of the Native American land. By the 1930's, Pollock had already moved to New York and was under the tutelage of Thomas Hart Benton. Benton's work and artistic point of view influenced Pollock's early work for only a short while.

At the age of 33, Pollock married Lee Krasner, who was also a very important American Painter. They moved into to Springs, Long Island, New York. Their former residence is now known to be the "Pollock-Krasner House and Studio". The house had a nearby barn that Jackson Pollock turned into his studio. There he created the majority of his most well known pieces and it was also here that he allowed himself to be photographed by the young Hans Namuth. The young photographer eagerly documented the movement and the attitude of Pollock when he fell into a Zen-like state as he drizzled and splashed paint onto a canvas that has been tacked to the hard floor of his barn studio.

As mentioned, Pollock is most famous for paint drip technique, but he also has a lot of graphic work that were made up of brightly colored pieces. Notable of these include: Male and Female - completed in 1942, Moon-Woman - 1943, Stenographic Figure - 1942, Easter and the Totem - 1953 and a lot of others. The middle part of Pollock's career was dominated by this paint drip artwork. In the early part of his career, he often gave names to his work, but it is said that he grew tired of magazines and critics trying to look through the name of the artwork and that is why he started numbering his work instead.

There was also a point when Pollock stayed away from color and concentrated on Blacks, Grays and Whites, but he later on returned to using color as portrayed in Easter and the Totem and in Portrait and a Dream- both finished in 1953. Pollock tragically died in 1956 in a supposed "alcohol related" car crash. It has been reported that Pollock struggled with alcoholism during the later part of his life and that affected his work.

Pollock was once again in the news in 2006 when one of his paintings entitled: No.5, 1948 sold for a record breaking US $140 Million to a supposedly 'anonymous' buyer. The painting was once the property of David Geffen. Pollock's life and work was also commemorated in the movie entitled: Pollock, in 2001. The movie stared Ed Harris and Marcia Gay Harden. It gained Academy Award nominations for the Best Actor for Harris and harden won the Best Supporting Actress Category.

Pollock's life was the life of a true artist. Despite his death, his name is one of those that are easily recognizable and his fame is comparable to Picasso, Van Gough, Degas and a lot of other great artists.

Art Prints and Photos on Canvas are available to buy from GetCanvas.co.uk. Benedict is a freelance article writer for Dolphin Promotions SEO Company.
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Exterior Home Painting is a Lofty Task

By Vickie Faria

A fresh coat of paint can make your house stand out among the rest of the neighborhood. Something about the new, bright paint makes your house sparkle and seem like new. Such an important responsibility may sometimes be too much for individuals to handle themselves.

It's never a bad thing when you look for outside help and exterior home painting is no exception. Don't feel bad if you cannot accomplish this task alone, as it takes a few people to paint an entire house. Nobody has ever become less of a man because they couldn't paint their own house, that would be ridiculous. Not only does it take manpower, exterior home painting requires skill and practice that many do not possess. Contractors and companies offering skilled teams of painters are readily available in most cities with a zip code these days so do the smart thing and open the phone book.

Make sure that you know who you are hiring, as many contractors with a number of large projects may put your exterior home painting job on the back burner before getting to it. A reliable, smaller team of painters is sometimes the way to go.

They usually have a smaller clientele and are more concerned with customer satisfaction and service than some of the larger companies who have such a vast list of huge projects. A lot of college students take up house painting as a way to earn extra money. Do not be worried about the college student image that is often portrayed in movies and the media, as most college
More information on exterior home painting and College Works Painting in your area is just a click away.
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Paint Finishes Made All the More Spectacular by Dragging

by Anthony J. Namata

An ordinary-looking wall can be easily transformed into something more chic and up-market with just the stroke of a brush ... and you wouldn't believe it, a comb. Commonly known as dragging, this technique can make a room seem immediately larger and less boxy. And it is one of the rare painting techniques that can in fact work extremely well when you get just the right color combinations in, to either contrast or blend in with the shades. This article will offer tips on how to use a comb and a brush to create utterly spectacular paint finishes that only dragging can effect.

If you want a tougher and finer finish, a base paint that is primarily a flat mid-sheen oil-based paint would help you achieve that remarkably well as it is non-absorbent, therefore the colored glaze would slide on easily, and won't sink in. Apply the glaze using a white brush 100 or 125mm [4 or 5inch] in width and generously bristled. Dragging on the other hand only needs a cheap standard brush 100mm [4inches] in width. However, use white spirit [mineral spirits] for thinning the glaze. Glycerin, from a chemist or druggist, may help to keep an emulsion wash malleable for a longer period.

Dragging works best with two people, one applying the glaze or wash, and the other one dragging it off; and while doing this the state of mind you should aim for is attentive but relaxed. Bristles should touch the wall firmly but lightly. Use rags to wipe dragging brush every couple of strokes or so to prevent it from becoming loaded with glaze ... you don't want to put color on instead of dragging it off! Allow transparent oil glaze a day or two to dry. Thinned paint dries faster although it doesn't produce quite the same crisp finish as transparent oil glaze. But it's easier to handle. Complete dragged wall with coat of clear matt or colorless acrylic varnish as a protection against wear and tear or washing down.

A comb is another tool that can create a magnificent dragging effect on a wall with relative ease. You can actually make your own comb by simply cutting a plastic lid in half, and then cutting V-shaped notches about ¼-inch long into the straight edge of a cut lid. Depending on the look you want to create, spacing between notches can be even or uneven, but to avoid excess paint buildup between notches, make teeth fairly narrow.

In both techniques, you work your way down the wall with brush (or the comb) from top to bottom... and some professionals even add side to side, then top to bottom again over the same strip. I'd say experiment with different ideas when applying these two techniques -- you never know what you will discover. Have fun with it!

Dragging is a faux-painting technique that produces thin, vertical stripes on the wall. It works best on wood paneling or a smooth wall surface. A dry brush or a comb can be used to create this look of luxury, but it does work best with two people, one applying the glaze or wash, and the other one dragging it off. So the next time you want to spruce up your walls with special paint finishes, consider dragging.

Anthony J. Namata is a successful Internet Marketer and author of How to Become An International Gemstone Dealer and his popular online journal Diary Of An Internet Marketer
Shop for your favorite products and name brands AND help the world become a better place...Find out more at: http://www.maxmalls.com
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It's All in The Paint

By Christopher Brown
Painting for some people is a dreaded but necessary task. Others love the creativity that painting provides them and they don't mind getting a little messy while they do it. Painting should provide you with the opportunity to take your ideas and then put them on your walls. You have many options to choose from in colors and painting styles and you will want to be certain that your ideas will flow throughout your home.

When buying paint, you get what you pay for. If you go for the less expensive brands of paint, plan on having to put down at least two coats. These paints are often thinner and will require more paint to get a good covering on your walls. They may also not spread as well, so you may need to consider the types of brushes or painting pads you are using. Paint brands that are slightly more expensive are often worth it. Their colors tend to be somewhat brighter and you can usually get a good cover with even one coat. Granted, some colors are going to require more paint to cover, but they typically tend to cover better and spread very well. You may also need to consider different types of paints if you are going to be getting creative with sponges, rags and other creative painting mediums.

When selecting colors you will first want to consider the lighting of the room. If you have a dark room, with little natural light then a dark paint will only make it darker. Brighten up rooms with light hues of blues or yellows. Avoid bright white as it shows dirt easily and may turn yellowish over time. A bright white will also make the room too white. You will find that lighter hues will make the room more relaxing and you may even find yourself spending more time in those rooms. Different colors can also bring your spirits up and brighten your mood. Darker colors may be very relaxing and possibly put you into a relaxing feel for a good nap.

Creative painting techniques can also add a bit of variety to a room. Sponges, rags and plastic bags can add creative style to any room. These are popular in rooms such as offices, living spaces and bedrooms. These techniques can also add a little contrast for texture to walls or use several complementary colors for a bright and creative feel. If you are interested in using these different types of painting styles, you will need at least two different colors of paint that complement each other. There are also paint additives available that will allow you to add texture such as sand to your walls for an even more interesting and creative design.

If you feel that you need a little something else in the room after painting, you may find that white crown molding around the top of your dining room adds an extra touch of sophistication. It even helps to hide those paint lines that weren't perfectly straight. Other ideas include wallpaper boarders that add an extra little touch of style and can blend well with room's theme. Wainscoting can turn a simple dining room or breakfast nook into a beautiful home interior masterpiece.

Chris Brown is a regular contributor to Home Remodeling, Bathroom Remodeling and Kitchen Remodeling websites. Chris also takes pride in many of his own do-it-yourself projects around his own home.
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Painting Project: Monochrome Painting and Scribble Painting

There are many different topics that can be made the focus of a painting project and one such is monochrome painting which is used for more than under-painting to establish areas of light and dark and includes making moody paintings, as well.

This painting project underscores the point that it is used to demonstrate that tone is the equal in importance as is color for making a satisfactory painting. Among painters that are noted for making monochrome paintings, the name of French painter Yves Klein stands out.

Monochrome Painting and Single Color Usage

Monochrome painting is a challenging painting project as it entails painting with the use of just a single color. The subject is not the center of attention nor is the color though dark colors are most suited for monochrome painting. One can experiment with different colors to depict their associated moods and choose the color that best fits the subject of the painting project for the monochrome painting.

To create a desired tone, one may add some white or it can also be used to vary the thickness of the paint and thereby show the white of the paper or canvas. If the painter experiences difficulty in his or her painting project in setting the tone, trying a monochrome filter may be helpful or for those who are using a photo which one would like to paint, a photo-editing program would be able to change it to a black-and-white photo from its original color version.

Another point to remember with regard to the painting project in monochrome is that one is free to create tonal contrast in places that it does not exist in, to make the painting better. In nature, can be found elements and in colors and form for all pictures lies a keyboard that holds the notes of the music and the artist need only pick and choose and group all these elements to produce best results.

Another painting project one could try is scribble painting which is really putting down on paper what the eye perceives when studying objects that one desires to paint. This painting project may require the artist to be ready with many large sheets of paper and decide on the subject as well as set a timer and paint for the duration it is timed for.

One should remember that this painting project requires that the artist focus on the entire object and not on the outline and needs to also work big and scribble to the edges of the paper. Also, the artist should use different colors and for those that sketch very fast, they could change the colors every time their eyes sweep across the entire subject.

What To Look Out For When Selecting Paint?

By Tan Ruixiang William

What do you need to look out for when selecting paints? What are the properties of paint that you should be looking out for?
Let me explain to you the qualities of the different types of paint.

1) Wash-ability

A prime concern about paint is its wash-ability. The glossier the paint, the more easily it can be washed. However, do note that the shinier the paint, the more light is reflected and it can be very distracting to the users. Also. The paint is thinner and imperfections will be shown more easily. If you need to use washable paint, use them for areas such as the bathrooms and kitchens.

2) Drying time

Paint needs time to dry and cure. Drying refers to surface drying and curing occurs when paint dries all the way through. Paint usually takes a longer time to dry during high humidity as the rate of evaporation decreased. It is crucial that you give time for your paint to dry as paint needs to be clean and re-coat.

3) Flammability

When selecting paint, do beware that paint can catch fire. Every alkyd-based product should be considered as flammable.

4) Odor

All paints have a certain degree of odor. Latex paint has an odor but it is not strong smelling or pungent. Most people dislike alkyd based paint as it really smell awful. Alcohol based paint is even worst. The bad smell lingers !

Hence, the next time you select the type of paint, do keep a look out on the above points that I have mentioned.

William Tan is a writer and designer of Interior Decora - Your best online source for interior decorating tips! Visit http://www.interiordecora.com today!
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