Vincent Van Gogh



     The guest artist for this week has had technical issues and so for several reasons this week we will look at this wonderful landscape by Vincent Van Gogh.  A week ago I wrote at length about Char's skill plein aire painting in watercolor.  Van Gogh painted out-of-doors, too, but in oil paint.  His technique was to execute the drawing and establish all color outside by thinning the paint to an "oil wash".  He would then go indoors to complete the painting with heavy layers of paint until complete to his satisfaction. 

  Oil paint is considerably different to work with from watercolor.  Both have their own challenges. Watercolor dries quickly and artists usually work in fine, thin layers as the paint is transparent color. Oil dries very slowly, so color can be mixed and adjusted on canvas if necessary and as needed.  

   Next week I will introduce you to Grace who will demonstrate her method of creating a painting.

    But now, Vincent!  My imagination can see him sitting on a small hill looking down and beyond at this scene in Provence, France.   My guess is he was attracted to those red flowers growing front center.  Our center of attention draws our focus to those flowers, the man walking away, and then the farm buildings beyond.  Just like in Char's watercolor last week, Van Gogh paints the road a soft yellow white and quite plain. Notice how the curve of it is almost reversed in the curve of the rock fence coming out toward us.  I love how the man is isolated, and because he is turned away from us, he doesn't demand our attention like he would if facing us.  So smart!  

   Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890) has been acclaimed for this revolutionary techniques that influenced many artists to come after him.  But I enjoy his organizational skill at composing a composition and assembling a whole vista landscape using a limited, complementary palette of color.   Plus his results are always bright and beautiful. 

   "Farmhouse in Provence" was painted in 1888.   It measures 18 inches by 24 inches unframed.  It is part of the Allsa Mellon Bruce Collection at the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. USA.  

Make Art a part of your life, it's a beautiful thing to do. 

Special note:  for those of my readers in Minnesota, the Minneapolis Institute of Art now has a special, small display of work by Van Gogh.  It is a traveling exhibit, organized elsewhere and here for a couple months.   The exhibit centers on his late work and features a few paintings plus drawings and sketches.  

Comments

  1. Charlotte HarguthJune 28, 2022 at 8:41 AM

    I'm attracted to the beautiful sky. It suggests movement while the rest of the painting seems quiet. There is a lot of ochre, but blended with other colors, it is not overwhelming. The single figure walking away reminds me of his personal isolation. The white path seems so important to balance the picture, and the flowers in for fore front give a warm pleasant feeling. I had not seen this painting before. Really like it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Art Expert On LineJune 30, 2022 at 8:23 AM

      Yes, I agree there seems to be wind in those clouds and maybe suggesting the tall grass is moving, too. You will meet Grace next week, Char, and I look forward to your thoughts on her beautiful painting.

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