Famous Artists: Van Gogh
Year 5 explore the life and style of Vincent van Gogh and try his swirling brushwork.
# Famous Artists: Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch painter who lived in the 1800s. Today he is one of the most famous artists in the world, but he sold very few paintings while he was alive.
Swirling Brushmarks
Van Gogh is famous for his bold, swirling brushmarks. If you look closely at his painting Starry Night, the sky is full of moving spirals. He painted with short thick strokes that give his pictures energy and feeling.
Bright Colour
He loved bright colour and often used colours that nearly clash to make a scene glow. Yellow was a favourite, appearing in his sunflowers and his paintings of wheat fields.
Painting Feelings
Van Gogh wanted his art to show how he felt, not just what he saw. A picture can be happy, calm or stormy depending on the colours and marks the artist chooses.
Your Turn
Paint a night sky using short swirls of colour, the way Van Gogh might. Think about the mood you want to create and choose colours to match.
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