P5:P1: Different Ways of Applying Paint

Research Point 5.1: Abstract Expressionists

Please click here to view the findings of my research.

Exercise One: Impasto

For this exercise, I was asked to apply paint in a very thick manner, a technique called ‘impasto’. I added a thickening medium to my paint, which did do as described, however, I think I added too much paint to the ratio and that had I used more of the medium and less paint, the result would have been stronger.

For this exercise, I drew on my imagination to summon a basic still life image. I was less concerned in this exercise with the end result as I was with the process itself. I allowed myself to become consumed by the process and the application technique and found myself almost regressing to my childhood with the excitement and freedom felt. It felt almost as though I was ‘breaking the rules’ of the constraints of ‘perfection’ expected within pieces.

Whilst I enjoyed this technique, I am not sure it is fully suitable to my style as a whole, however, I do think elements of this technique could be useful in the right areas.

Exercise Two: Dripping, Dribbling and Spattering

For this exercise I was asked to use several different techniques to apply the paint to the support. I began with a wash of colour to create a base, then turned to spattering before applying splodges of colour and pulling them across the support with brushes, sticks, palette knives and sponges.

As with the first exercise, I was not so bothered with the end result and ‘perfect image’ as I was with the creation process, yet I found the end result to be something rather intriguing and fascinating! In fact, when looking at it, I felt as though I was looking at the work of an established artist as opposed to an experiment. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy the creation process, I thoroughly enjoyed the result. I definitely want to create more pieces like this and I think somehow pulling the figure into it could be rather exciting in itself.