All artists have their unique techniques to reveal their vision, their ideas. Milton Resnick also had a very specific technique. The artist even referred to his style as somewhat ridiculous (NordschleifeGray). Nonetheless, he claimed that he managed to capture motion, to capture images, and even ideas. Notably, Resnick’s attitude towards the canvas was somewhat similar to the attitude of another talented artist, Jackson Pollock.
Thus, while working on his painting, Resnick notes that he needs to see the entire picture. The artist recollects the big painting he once worked on. This was the time when he realized that if he needed to move back to see the whole thing, he simply could not paint the work (NordschleifeGray). Milton Resnick admits that this is a simple rule to follow, and he never breaks this rule. He needs to be able to ’embrace’ the work to see where he is moving.
Likewise, Jackson Pollock needed to ’embrace’ his works. The artist put his works on the floor to be able to reach any part of it or even to be inside the paper (Sayre 161). Pollock walked around the painting, and he wanted to be able to work on it from the four sides. Of course, the artist needed to see the whole thing as well. The development of the painting had to be observable for both artists. Basically, the two artists needed to perceive the painting as a whole. They could not divide it into sectors as every painting was a whole universe for them.
Interestingly, the two artists had quite similar attitudes towards paints. It is even possible to say that their techniques were quite similar. Both artists argued that paint itself showed the way to work. Pollock used to say that the brush was a kind of continuation of his hand. He also noted that he did not mind images he wanted to reveal the motion of paint. Likewise, Resnick did not care about particular images. He only wanted to reveal some ideas, some colors. Resnick had a very interesting method. He was looking for some beginning and did not mind if his work changed totally. He followed the motion of color. The color set up certain rules, and Resnick eagerly followed those rules. The artists also had a very special attitude towards color. He once said that the color did not have to be bright (NordschleifeGray). The artist added that he understood that he did not fully understand the color. This may be the reason why he let the color lead him.
Finally, both artists did not use sketches. They started painting when they had one idea in their heads. They had some image or, more likely, some idea to start with, and they let their painting develop. Resnick noted that such a technique could be seen as absolutely “ridiculous” (NordschleifeGray). However, he added that this was the technique he had been using for several decades quite successfully.
To sum up, Milton Resnick, as well as Jackson Pollock, had a very special vision. The two artists perceived their works as a whole. They did not work on too big paintings, i.e., canvases which could not be reached from all sides. They used colors to reveal their ideas. More so, they let the color tell stories. They did not use sketches or plans as they simply revealed their ideas and emotions. They did not want to restrict themselves and art.
Works Cited
Sayre, Henry M. A Word of Art. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2007. Print.
NordschleifeGray. Milton Resnick Part 1. YouTube, 2011. Web. 2012.