Van Gogh-Inspired Painting - Hucknall Library - Adult Learning

About this course

Immerse yourself in the world of Vincent van Gogh in this hands-on, one-day workshop. This is your opportunity to explore and master the techniques of one of history’s most celebrated artists. Over the course of a single, engaging session, you’ll discover Van Gogh’s unique style—characterised by bold colours, dynamic brushstrokes, and expressive compositions. You’ll learn how to recreate the energy and emotion of Van Gogh’s iconic paintings, from his swirling brushstrokes to his vibrant colour choices.

With step-by-step guidance, you’ll experiment with his techniques to paint a piece inspired by his style, whether it’s a landscape or still life.

Course Content:

- Introduction to Van Gogh’s Style: You’ll begin by learning about the key characteristics of Van Gogh’s paintings, such as his use of vibrant colours, thick brushstrokes, and dynamic compositions.

- Colour Theory & Palette Choices: You’ll explore Van Gogh’s colour palette and how he used complementary and contrasting colours to create depth and movement. Through a hands-on exercise, you’ll mix colours to match the striking vibrancy found in his works, experimenting with both warm and cool tones to evoke different moods.

- Brushstroke Techniques: Van Gogh’s energetic, thick brushstrokes are a hallmark of his style. You’ll learn how to replicate these brushstrokes using acrylics, focusing on how to create texture and rhythm in your work.

- Creating Dynamic Compositions: You’ll be guided through the process of composing your own painting, choosing from a range of still life or landscape subjects inspired by Van Gogh’s work.

- Painting Your Own Van Gogh-Inspired Piece: Using the techniques you’ve learned, you’ll create a piece inspired by Van Gogh’s style.

Throughout the workshop, your tutor will offer individual feedback and tips, ensuring you gain the skills and confidence to express your creativity through your painting. By the end of the session, you’ll have a completed Van Gogh-inspired artwork to take home and showcase, along with new knowledge of his techniques that you can apply to your future paintings.

What you will need to bring to the course:

Acrylic paper/sketch pad,

A4 canvas

white gesso

a range of synthetic paint brushes

acrylic paint (student grade)

- Red (Magenta, Cadmium Red)

- Yellow (Lemon and Cadmiun Yellow),

- Blue (Ultramarine, and Cerulean),

- Titanium White

Suggested reading:

1) Painting Methods of the Impressionists by Bernard Dunstan

2) Painting the Impressionist Landscape: Lessons in Interpreting Light and Color by Lois Griffel

Booking your place and fee information

If you receive certain benefits you will be offered the course for free, however if you have a financial barrier which may prevent you from enrolling on the course, please visit our funding page for further information.

Residency in England

To book and enrol on one of our courses, you must be living in England permanently and live outside of the devolved areas listed below or live within the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) devolved area (Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire).

• Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield 

• Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

• Greater London

• Greater Manchester

• Liverpool City Region

• Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside and Northumberland

• Tees Valley

• West of England

• West Midlands

• West Yorkshire

Residency Eligibility – other criteria

If you are living in the UK on a visa we will require evidence of this in order to be funded for the course, you can upload this evidence when you apply for the course. (completion of a questionnaire will be required).

Some exceptions may apply for example

• Your visa expiry date must be beyond the end of your course

• Asylum seekers must have lived in the UK for 6 months or longer while their claim is being considered by the Home Office

• You are receiving local authority support under section 23C or section 23CA of the Children Act 1989 or the Care Act 2014

Any learner who is not funded full cost fees would apply to these courses.