Featured Art Project Create the Helen Frankenthaler Color Field

Helen
Frankenthaler
Abstract Expressionist painter Helen Frankenthaler was
born in New York in 1928. She is considered a champion
of Color Field painting, a movement in which the colors of
the artwork were intended to stir an emotion in the viewer.
Other notable Color Field artists include Mark Rothko
and Barnett Newman. Frankenthaler was one of the only
prominent female painters of the time and was known for
pouring large mixtures of paint onto untreated canvases,
a technique that was unique to her practice. Today, we will
be creating ceramic coasters that mimic her exquisite color
field abstractions.
MATERIALS:
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The Bay, 1963
STEP 1:
STEP 2:
Begin by flipping your
ceramic tile around and
attaching the felt adhesive
patches to each corner.
On the front side of your
tile, use your permanent
markers to create various
patterns and designs. Use
a variety of colors--don’t
be afraid to layer or mix!
STEP 3:
STEP 4:
With your liquid dropper
filled with alcohol, make
small drops or puddles on
your tile.
Let tile dry for ten minutes.
Resist the urge to blow on,
move, or blot your tile.
STEP 5:
STEP 6:
After the first drops have
dried, use your dropper
and repeat the process,
focusing on areas without
alcohol on them.
Ceramic tiles
Felt adhesive patches
Permanent markers
Rubbing alcohol
Spray acrylic
Plastic liquid droppers
When your tile is completely dry, spray your
coaster with acrylic. This
will waterproof it. Allow
your coaster to dry for 24
hours before use!
FOR MORE P.S. ARTS TO GO! PROJECTS, PLEASE VISIT PSARTS.ORG/TO-GO