Vincent van Gogh: From Drawing to Painting

Vincent van Gogh: From Drawing to Painting

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will have a better understanding of Vincent van Gogh's transition from drawing to painting, his influences, and his unique style.

What do you already know about Vincent van Gogh's journey as an artist?

Early Years and Career Choices

Vincent van Gogh started as a artist by drawing to practice his skills. After unsuccessful careers as an art dealer, teacher, and preacher, he decided to pursue painting at the age of 27.

Lessons from Anton Mauve

In The Hague, Vincent received painting lessons from the renowned artist Anton Mauve. He also continued to draw extensively to improve his skills.

First Paid Commission

Vincent received his first paid commission from his uncle. This opportunity allowed him to further develop his painting skills.

Influence of Modern Painters

During his time in Paris, Vincent's brother Theo introduced him to the colorful works of famous modern painters like Claude Monet. These new influences had a profound impact on Vincent's own work.

Experimenting with Lighter Colors

Under the influence of modern art, Vincent's paintings in Paris became lighter in color. He started using brighter colors and developed his unique style with short brushstrokes.

Change in Subjects

Vincent wanted to paint models, but due to financial constraints, he began painting self-portraits. This change in subjects reflected his circumstances and personal exploration.

Financial Struggles and Illness

In 1890, Vincent faced significant financial worries, and his illness added to his hardships.

Prodigious Output

Vincent produced over 850 paintings and nearly 1300 works on paper. However, he only managed to sell a few artworks during his lifetime.

Appreciation of Colorful Paintings

During Vincent's time, realistic paintings were valued, and his colorful works were not widely appreciated.

Expressing Feelings and Thoughts

Vincent's paintings aimed to convey his emotions and thoughts rather than strict realism. His paintings burst with bright colors and distinctive brushstrokes.

Interactive Activity: Analyzing Brushstrokes

Let's analyze Vincent van Gogh's brushstrokes in one of his famous paintings. Discuss the energy and emotion conveyed by his unique technique.

Interactive Activity: Comparing Realism and Expression

Let's compare a realistic painting from Vincent's time with one of his expressive paintings. Discuss the differences in color, form, and emotional impact.

Influence on Modern Art

Despite the initial lack of appreciation, Vincent van Gogh's unique style and expressive approach had a profound impact on modern art.

Conclusion

Vincent van Gogh's journey from drawing to painting involved learning from other artists, experimenting with different techniques, and expressing his emotions through vibrant colors and distinctive brushstrokes.

Review Questions

1. What were Vincent van Gogh's career choices before becoming a painter?
2. Who was his influential teacher in The Hague?
3. How did Vincent's paintings change under the influence of modern art?
4. What was the subject of many of his self-portraits?
5. How many paintings did Vincent van Gogh create in total?

Further Exploration

Encourage students to explore more of Vincent van Gogh's artwork and read about his life and artistic journey.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.