Based on some very helpful feedback on last week’s drawing, I’ve been venturing deeper into the world of raw textures, reminiscent of Vincent Van Gogh’s work with still life. By applying thicker, darker marks to the paper, I create many layers of texture and color without using my finger tips to wipe away the course pattern left behind by chalk pastel. Also, I really stuck with a principle learned from last quarter about using black and white to imply shadow and reflection, only this time I supplemented black and white with lighter and darker colors for a more vivid look; a technique often used by Van Gogh.  Check out my latest: “Still Life with Oranges” under the Images tab.

Still Life with Basket and Six Oranges- Vincent Van Gogh, 1888

Thumbnail Sketch- Vincent Van Gogh, 1888

This week has been all about channeling the great Dutch master, Vincent Van Gogh. Inspired by his biography, Van Gogh in Arles, I’ve been following in his tracks by doing many thumbnail-pencil sketches of a still life before taking a stab with color pastel. This helps me to determine which colors to use, the proportion of objects, and the scale of content within the page. Studying Van Gogh’s thought process has shed new light on sense of style by working with this scientific trial and error approach to drawing. Check out my “Still Life with Amber Bottle and Fruit” under the Images tab, inspired by Van Gogh’s “Still life with Blue Enamel Coffeepot, Earthenware and Fruit (1888)”