How did Jackson Pollock create his drip paintings?

Jackson Pollock revolutionized modern art by developing his signature "drip and splash" or "poured" method starting in 1947. Abandoning the traditional easel and paintbrush, he placed his canvas directly on the floor, allowing him to work from every side.123

To create these works, Pollock utilized commercial enamel house paint, which he favored for its fluidity. Using unconventional implements such as sticks and knives, he would fling, dribble, or manipulate the paint to record the force and scope of his physical gestures. This process involved building up complex, layer-upon-layer patterns of color, sometimes incorporating materials like sand or glass to add texture.13

Pollock often executed these paintings in stages, alternating between periods of active painting and contemplation. This technique, which became a hallmark of Action painting, allowed the act of painting itself to be as significant as the final result, effectively fusing image and form into intricate, large-scale compositions.32