Product Description

Step into the clogs of famous Dutch artist, Vincent Van Gogh as we demonstrate his painting techniques while copying one of his well-known Sunflowers compositions. In this program we ll look at Van Gogh s life and legacy. We'll review the tools and materials he used his paint pallet, the brushes he used, his canvas, etc. Finally, follow a step-by-step demonstration of his painting methods. This program includes numerous reference materials including a printed reproduction of Van Gogh s Sunflowers, downloadable PDF files, and a Special Features section with transfer grid and painting details images.

Review

Ever marveled at impressionist paintings like those by Monet and Van Gogh, but were convinced you could never paint like that? Then the Paint Like Van Gogh: Learn from a Master DVD is perfect for you and the aspiring artist in your family. Larry Withers is an enjoyable host as explains how for centuries people have learned to paint by copying the masters. Then the host outlines some history of the famous painter and Vincent Van Gogh s painting Sunfl owers. From there he explains the materials you will need to successfully copy Sunfl owers. As he does that, he also outlines the history of the art supplies and why some colors that Van Gogh used are no longer available. Next comes the explanation of how to break the painting into pieces that can be transferred to your canvas to be painted. The DVD includes the projections for the project in PDF form, so they are easy to print off. All you have to do is create the grid and pencil in the outline. If you ve ever worked with oil paints, you know there can be a lot of mixing to reach the perfect shade. Instead of telling you to mix until it looks right, Larry demonstrates how to do that and provides tips for making the color just right. Finally, he shows you how to block out the main shapes, filling them in with the right colors and then layering in the details that make an impressionist piece like Van Gogh s look right. A card inside the DVD packaging has a full color print of Sunfl owers, both as the first layer of paint and the flip side with the details added. My two oldest (ages 8 and 5) took art lesson this summer and caught the painting bug. My daughter can t wait to watch the video and try to recreate Sunflowers. With the instruction provided with this DVD, I think she might accomplish it and learn the skills along the way that can be applied to other art. --Practical Homeschooling Magazine

For centuries in Western art, students copied the masters to learn from them. Artist Larry Withers leads would-be painters to recreate, step-by-step, one of Vincent van Gogh s well-known Sunflowers paintings ( Still Life: Vase with Twelve Sunflowers, 1889, which now hangs in the Philadelphia Museum of Art). Using a technique called projection, Withers shows how to first transfer the elements of the original to a blank canvas by using a grid, then transform it into a template that works as a more complex version of the paint-by-numbers approach. Van Gogh was known for his use of brilliant color, and Withers shows how some colors were mixed on a palette, while others came directly from paint tubes. He discusses how matching colors and techniques can be diffi cult, because of the differences between paint materials in the 1800s and those of today. Finally, Withers notes that van Gogh painted with enthusiasm, and although this is the most difficult quality to imitate, Withers encourages students to paint with abandon. This DVD has a rich extras package including a mini-poster reproduction of the original painting, a schematic of color swatches, and PDF files of reference materials. Recommended. *** --Video Librarian

There are many ways to learn to paint, and copying the accomplishments of the art masters is a time-tested method. This video presents a very wellorganized, step-by-step demonstration of how that learning process can be completed by students, along with providing an appreciation of the featured artist, in this case Vincent van Gogh. Larry Withers, the narrator and presenter, has organized this demonstration with the intent of viewers being able to follow along through the entire painting process. He begins with a well thought out introduction to the various techniques required, and includes a very concise and meaningful biography about van Gogh, which is embellishedthroughout the presentation. In an effort t maintain a realistic approach to accomplishing the detailed task, Withers uses the same materials van Gogh would have used whenever possible, and explains substitutions when necessary. The demonstration is done using oil paints and introduces the basic materials and tools needed to work in that medium. There is a lot to be learned from this DVD from just watching the transferring technique and grid work demonstration to actually following along. Certainly other painting materials can be substituted as the ages of students dictate and budgets allow. Several add-ons are included with the purchase price, including a special features list that can be used as reference material, and a small print of the painting in question, along with a color key and the information needed to download PDF fi les of the materials seen in the presentation. --Arts & Activities