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Aim:  How can artists use their  knowledge of other artists work to create their own original piece? 

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Aim:  How can artists use their  knowledge of other artists work to create their own original piece? 

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I can reference various artists work through technology, books and museum visits
I create art that does not rely on tracing or copying
I can recognize characteristics of and uses a variety of media to create art
I can use my knowledge of nature to create art

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Description: Vincent Van Gogh  was born in Groot-Zundert, Holland. He is known for his use of vibrant colors that where constructed and painted in a way to show ultimate expression. What some people do not know is that Vincent was the son of a pastor, which means he was brought up in a religious background. Some of the things that people will know about Van Gogh is that he was a very sensitive, and emotional individual which is why his painting screamed passion and expression. It was hard for this master artist to have self confidence, and to help with his lack of self esteem, it is believed that he began painting around 1860 and 1880. Like artists of today, he too started out as a struggling painter. Because of this Vincent had gone through the trial and error of having jobs such as a clerk in bookstore, he was an art salesman, and he even tried to follow in his fathers foot steps as a preacher. See, even though Vincent Van Gogh was an individual that did not see the beauty within himself, his goal was to study art and create beautiful paintings that gave a sense of happiness and hope.

In this tutorial you will see how to draw Starry Night, step by step. It is not the original painting but this copy is a representation of one of the worlds most famous paintings. But at least you can teach yourself how to draw this image, and then paint it in when your done. Did you know that Vincent Van Gogh painted all of his works in a ten year period? It’s true, he painted a total of one hundred fifty paintings and out of that amount, only one sold, Starry Night. Starry Night was painted from his memory as he reminisced about the days he spent in an institution. I know what your thinking, “why was such a creative mind institutionalized”? Well, it’s said that he went into an intense fit of epilepsy and went after one of his friends with a razor. He was stopped before he could really hurt him, but ended up cutting the ear lobe off of his friends face. He then went crazy and experienced serious hardships as he was sent to an asylum called Saint Remy. It was there that he seeked treatment. In May of 1890 it appeared that Van Gogh was doing remarkably better. Later that year, Vincent Van Gogh was found dead by a self inflicted gunshot wound. Doctors believe that Vincent made his epilepsy's worst because of the consumption of absinthe over a prolonged period of time. He was born March 30, 1853 and died July 29, 1890, he was only thirty seven years old.

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Read:  What is the meaning of Starry Night?

In Starry Night contoured forms are a means of expression and they are used to convey emotion. Many feel that van Gogh´s turbulent quest to overcome his illness is reflected in the dimness of the night sky. The village is painted with dark colors but the brightly lit windows create a sense of comfort. The village is peaceful in comparison to the dramatic night sky and the silence of the night can almost be felt in Starry Night. The steeple dominates the village and symbolizes unity in the town. In terms of composition, the church steeple gives an impression of size and isolation.

In the left foreground is a curvy cypress tree which is typically associated with mourning. It is painted in the same way as the sky with fluid lines which enhances the flow of the Starry Night painting well as its easiness on the eye.

Starry Night Use of color

Van Gogh´s choice of color in Starry Night has been much debated, particularly the dominance of yellow in this and other late works. Some believe van Gogh may have been suffering from lead poisoning or a type of brain disease and that this explains his strange use of color in later paintings.

Van Gogh's use of white and yellow creates a spiral effect and draws attention to the sky. Vertical lines such as the cypress tree and church tower softly break up the composition without retracting from the powerful night sky depicted in Starry Night.

Vincent van Gogh´s choice of dark blues and greens were complemented with touches of mint green showing the reflection of the moon. The buildings in the centre of the painting are small blocks of yellows, oranges, and greens with a dash of red to the left of the church. The dominance of blue in Starry Night is balanced by the orange of the night sky elements.

Van Gogh paints the rich colors of the night and this corresponds with the true character of this Starry Night, whereby colors are used to suggest emotion.

Starry Night Use of Light

Van Gogh´s passion for nighttime is evident in the Starry Night painting, where the powerful sky sits above the quiet town. It seems that van Gogh is contrasting life and death with luminous stars and a gloomy, peaceful village. The main light sources are the bright stars and crescent moon.

Starry Night Mood, Tone and Emotion

There are various interpretations of Starry Night and one is that this canvas depicts hope. It seems that van Gogh was showing that even with a dark night such as this it is still possible to see light in the windows of the houses. Furthermore, with shining stars filling the sky, there is always light to guide you. It seems that van Gogh was finally being cured of his illness and had essentially found his heaven. He also knew that in death he would be at peace and further portrays this by using bold colors in the Starry Night painting.

In a letter to his brother, Theo, van Gogh comments: "I should not be surprised if you liked the Starry Night and the Ploughed Fields, there is a greater quiet about them than in the other canvases. " Later in the letter he makes reference to Leo Tolstoys book My Religion and its lack of belief in resurrection. Such fleeting mentions of religion echoed van Goghs feelings towards the subject at this time; he could neither forget it nor totally accept it. Despite this, his use of the word 'quiet' and reference to Tolstoys book indicates that the night sky made him feel calm and brought to mind eternity.

Starry Night shows the vast power of nature and the church spire and cypress tree - representing man and nature - both point to the heavens.

Starry Night Brushstroke

In Starry Night van Gogh´s unique, thick brush strokes are very much obvious and it´s possible that his severe attacks further dramatized his brush work. However, there is a consistency to his technique that adds even more depth as well as a rich texture to this work of art.

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1. Watch Video & take notes..
2. What time of day is it?
3.  What is the mood (how does it make you feel?)
4. Listen for how many stars, what colors to use and on what, types of shapes and lines etc)
5. Go back, watch again and begin to sketch.  You can stop the video and sketch along the way.  When your sketch is done, label with words and colors to use (stars, yellows).  Watch again and add anything you missed.
6.  When your sketch is complete, let me know and I will check and then you may begin to redraw and paint (remember, this will take several classes, so please do not rush!)
7. When your painting is complete, use your notes to write a paragraph about this painting and how you felt about it and drawing and painting it yourself.

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Van Gogh's Starry Night Oil Pastel Tutorial

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Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' made Interactive

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Paragraph frame: Use this to help you write a paragraph 

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Paragraph frame: Use this to help you write a paragraph 

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Starry Night was painted by __________________(artist) .  The painting shows a setting that takes place in  ___________________ (where) and at _______________(time of day).  Van Gogh uses _________________________(what types of lines, shapes, colors give details).  The painting's mood makes you feel________________(how does it make you feel?).  I ____________(did like this painting because or I did  not like this painting because - tell why).  When I drew and painted it myself I_________( was or was not happy with the end result because).