Beyond Canvas: Comparing Colour Field and Action Painting | By Kerwin

Beyond Canvas: Comparing Colour Field and Action Painting

What are these two major 20th century art movements and how do their styles differ?

When it comes to the world of art, two major styles that emerged in the mid-20th century are Colour Field and Action Painting. Both of these styles are unique in their own way and have made a significant impact in the art world.

As a UK pop artist who has developed their own unique, Jackson Pollock-inspired painting technique with By Kerwin, in this article I briefly explore these two styles, comparing and contrasting them. I also discuss the ways in which they have impacted the world of art.

Colour Field Painting and Action Painting are two art styles that emerged in the U.S. mid-20th century. These styles were a reaction to the dominant art movements of the time, such as Abstract Expressionism and Cubism. Colour Field and Action Painting have had significant impact on the art world.

Read on to learn more.

Introduction to Colour Field and Action Painting

Colour Field Painting and Action Painting are two distinct styles that emerged in the United States in the mid-20th century. These styles were a reaction to the dominant art movements of the time, such as Abstract Expressionism and Cubism. Colour Field and Action Painting are unique in their own way and have had a significant impact on the art world.

What is Colour Field Painting?

Colour Field Painting is a style of painting that emerged in the 1940s and 1950s. The style is characterised by large areas of colour on the canvas and a focus on the relationship between colour and space. Colour Field painters such as Mark Rothko, Helen Frankenthaler and Morris Louis believed that colour could evoke emotions and that the viewer’s perception was essential to understanding their paintings.

One of the key techniques used in Colour Field Painting is staining, which involves pouring thinned paint onto the canvas and allowing it to spread and soak in. This creates a flat, uniform colour that appears to have no visible brushstrokes. This technique was used by artists such as Frankenthaler, who was known for her use of staining in her paintings.

Another Mark Rothko Colour Field Painting at the Museum of Modern Art, New York. What is it? | By Kerwin
Another Mark Rothko Colour Field Painting at the Museum of Modern Art, New York. What is it?

Another important aspect of Colour Field Painting is the use of colour theory. Artists such as Rothko believed that colour had a spiritual quality and that certain colour combinations could evoke different emotions in the viewer. They often used colours in a gradient or juxtaposed complementary colours to create a sense of harmony or tension in their paintings.

What is Action Painting?

Action Painting is a style of painting that emphasises the physical act of painting. This style also emerged in the 1940s and 1950s and was popularised by artists such as Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, and Franz Kline. Action Painting is characterised by its energetic, spontaneous, and gestural brushwork.

One of the key techniques used in Action Painting is drip painting, which involves dripping or splashing paint onto the canvas. This creates a sense of movement and spontaneity in the painting. Pollock, who was known for his drip paintings, believed that the act of painting was more important than the finished product.

Another important aspect of Action Painting is the role of chance in the creative process. Artists such as de Kooning and Kline believed that chance played a significant role in the creation of their paintings. They would often begin a painting with no preconceived plan and allow the painting to evolve organically through the act of painting.

Comparing and contrasting Colour Field and Action Painting

While Colour Field Painting and Action Painting are distinct styles, they share some similarities. Both styles emerged in the United States in the mid-20th century as a reaction to the dominant art movements of the time. Both styles also emphasise the importance of the physical act of painting and the role of the viewer in interpreting the paintings. However, there are also significant differences between the two styles.

Colour Field Painting focuses on large areas of colour on the canvas, while Action Painting emphasises gestural brushwork and the physical act of painting. Colour Field painters often used staining techniques to create a flat, uniform colour, while Action Painters used drip painting and other techniques to create a sense of movement and spontaneity in their paintings.

In terms of the creative process, Colour Field Painting is often planned in advance, with the artist having a clear idea of what they want to achieve. On the other hand, Action Painting is more spontaneous, with the artist allowing the painting to evolve organically through the act of painting. Colour Field Painting is often associated with a sense of calm and contemplation, while Action Painting is more energetic and expressive.

Jackson Pollock painting | By Kerwin

Despite their differences, both Colour Field Painting and Action Painting have had a significant impact on the art world. Colour Field Painting has influenced a range of artists, from Minimalists to Abstract Expressionists, while Action Painting has influenced artists working in a variety of media, including sculpture and performance art.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Colour Field Painting and Action Painting are two distinct styles that emerged in the United States in the mid-20th century. While they share some similarities, such as an emphasis on the physical act of painting and the role of the viewer in interpreting the paintings, they also have significant differences.

Colour Field Painting is characterised by large areas of colour on the canvas and a focus on the relationship between colour and space, while Action Painting emphasises gestural brushwork and the physical act of painting. Despite their differences, both styles have had a significant impact on the art world and continue to inspire artists today.

In early 2023 I was lucky enough to see some of the world’s most famous Colour Field and Action Paintings at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. These included works by Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock. Read the review of my visit and find out what other paintings I saw, here.

Kerwin Blackburn exhibiting his paintings at The Other Art Fair with Saatchi Art, July 2021 | By Kerwin pop art Jackson Pollock style music prints
My own paintings are inspired by Jackson Pollock’s Action Painting, while also drawing on the vivid blocks of colour seen in Colour Field Painting

Which is your favourite art style out of Colour Field and Action Painting? Which other art movements would you like me to write about? Read my blog post about the opposing characteristics of Colour Field and Action Painting here.

My own range of ‘By Kerwin’ action paintings capture the world’s biggest music and pop culture icons. My full range of Jackson Pollock-inspired acrylic paintings can be viewed at www.bykerwin.com – the originals and prints of these are available to purchase, with worldwide delivery.

You can also follow my art progress on Instagram and Facebook.

Kerwin Blackburn exhibiting his pop art, Jackson Pollock-inspired music paintings and prints at The Other Art Fair London, October 2021 | By Kerwin
My By Kerwin pop art action paintings at The Other Art Fair, London in 2021. Which icon is your favourite? Did you know you can buy a print from my online shop!
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