In this expressive and engaging one-day workshop, we’ll explore the emotional power of colour and mark-making inspired by the work of Vincent van Gogh. Taking influence from Van Gogh’s energetic brushwork, rich colour palettes, and expressive landscapes and still lifes, we’ll experiment with painting, drawing, and mixed media techniques to create vibrant and personal artworks.
This session is perfect for anyone looking to explore how colour can communicate mood, atmosphere, and emotion. No previous experience is needed - just curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to experiment!
You can choose to work on paper, canvas, board, or in a sketchbook, with no pressure to produce a finished piece. Instead, this workshop focuses on exploring expressive techniques, colour relationships, texture and composition to help develop your own artistic ideas.
We will explore a variety of techniques inspired by Van Gogh’s work, including expressive brushstrokes, layering colour and using directional marks to create movement and energy. We will experiment with warm and cool colour contrasts, complementary colours, and textured surfaces to create depth and atmosphere.
Students may work from photographs, objects, flowers, landscapes, or imagination to create expressive studies inspired by nature, interiors and everyday life.
None - this course is open to all with an interest in art!
Please bring acrylic paints or oil paints in a variety of colours, especially strong yellows, blues, greens, oranges and earth tones inspired by Van Gogh’s palette. You will also need brushes in different sizes, including larger bristle brushes for expressive marks and smaller brushes for detail work.
Please bring paper, canvas paper, cartridge paper, a sketchbook, or small canvas boards to work on. Palette knives are optional but useful for creating textured paint application.
Please note we do have some paper, paint, brushes, and drawing materials available, but you may wish to bring your own materials to continue working at home.
You may wish to attend further art workshops, or you could consider enrolling onto one of our longer art courses.