Van Gogh's Sunflowers

Introduction

VAN GOGH is arguably one of the most intluential and famous figures in art history. Often, his images are recognized immediately by those who view his paintings. A dutch Post-Impressionist painter, he created about 2100 artworks over a decade. These paintings include around 860 oil paintings and most of them were created in the last years of his life. Gogh's artworks focused on landscapes, still lifes, portraits, and self portraits with bright, dramatic and expressive paint techniques. 

A head and shoulders portrait of a thirty something man with a red beard facing to the left

(source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_van_Gogh)

Task

Image result for van gogh's sunflowers

One of Van Gogh's frequent studies were sunflowers. Your task is to create a sunflower plot.

Your task will be:

  • To become aquainted with Vincent Van Gogh.
  • To learn that pastels can be used to create a variety of lines and textural effects.
  • To realize that colors can be subjective as well as objective.

Process

Image result for van gogh's sunflowers project

  1. Read Camille and the Sunflowers.  Discuss the story and the artist Vincent Van Gogh.
  2. Using pastels and paper, roll up sleeves and prepare your idea for your sunflower.
  3. Place paper vertically on the table. First create large bright sunflowers on the top half of the paper, so as not to smear the pastels. Choose your own favorite colors, as Vincent didn't always use the "correct" colors, either!
  4. After coloring in your own bright sunflowers, create a vase below the flowers. This vase may also be colored in. Don't forget to add stems and leaves. Try not to rub arms across the pastels.
  5. Turn in finished work . Teacher must use fixative on the work, which is best done outside.

Tip: For fixative, you can substitute hairspray or a mixture of glue and water (50% water - 50% glue) in a spray bottle - always test on small area of picture first, before covering the entire piece!!!

Evaluation

Grading

For Abstract Art Analysis

4

3

2

1

The intepretation

The student displayed great detail and thought with explaination.

The student showed detail but could have been more descriptive with interpretation.

The student showed little detail and thought with interpretation.

Little to no detail with art interpretation.

 

Color

Used several colors to enhace detail. Used proper pastel process

 

Used minimal colors and had an average understanding of how to use pastels.

Did not understand how to use pastel properly

    Length standard not met.

 

Effort

Student used best effort and focus regardless of outcome

 

 Student completed the work but did not go beyond expectation

 

Student put little attempt into work

 

Ther are more than 4 spelling or punctuation errors.

 

Conclusion

We have learned about Vincent Van gogh's Process!

  1. Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890) was an Impressionist painter who painted in the 1880s in Europe.
  2. Vincent used bright unusual colors to paint portraits, flowers, and landscapes.
  3. Colors seem brighter when drawn on dark or dull paper.
  4. Bright colors and large shapes attract the viewer's attention.
  5. Pastels can be used to create a variety of lines and textural effects.

Credits