Liz

How to go Van Gogh

• Impulsive, gestural application of paint to express subjective emotions.
• Expressive use of color, which is one of the most striking aspects of his paintings.
• Emotive brushwork.
• Symbolism and subject matter.
• Contours and lines.
• Light and shadow.
• Exaggeration of colors.
• Use of the fat over lean rule and palette knife.
• Tinting the canvas with an underpainting technique.
• Resisting the urge to blend.
• Adding texture with crosshatching.
• Using outlines.
• Experimenting with broken brush strokes and pointillist techniques.
• Creating drawings with various tools and mediums.

A life in Paint

Gallery

For Moira Our Sunflower

Sunflower, dancing in the breeze
Reflection of the Summer sun
Perfect golden petals
Vibrant bright and full of fun
Bringing joy to us all
Shining in the long warm hours;
But Summer days will end
As Autumn comes along
Frosty mornings, temperatures falling
Petals fade, droop and fall
And far too soon you’re gone.
Wait!
Save the seeds, keep them safe
Through the long dark days of Winter
And, when Spring comes
bulbs blooming, trees greening
Plant them in fresh soil
Green shoots will soon appear
New life!
Her spirit lives on
In our hearts and happy memories.
Heather

Van Gogh Sunflowers 1888

Everyone this week has been inspired by an element of Van Gogh’s Art, perhaps his use of colour, or mark making, brushstrokes, expression, or an emotional response to a subject or theme. A gallery of colour and line, energy and swirls. A veritable and vibrant visual feast. Where will their brushes go next?

To learn more about the artist click below

Enjoy your art space, wherever it may be. And remember nobody has to understand your art but you!

Love and hugs, Liz at the Beach Hut xx