Sculpting With The Brush: How to Be Van Gogh

Van Gogh, known for his mesmerizing swirls and textures, is also the Master of form, unsurpassed at creating dimensionality on canvas. In this course, you will learn how to virtually transform your brush into a magic chisel – the ‘sculpting tool’ that builds volume and space with pigment and color. There are many ways to use paint to “sculpt with the brush”, such as building the actual volume – creating a tactile texture like in a bas relief, but that is not what we will do. The magic of Van Gogh’s brushwork is that there is no real volume: the entire effect of 3D is based purely on the visual perception of optical dimension.

We will closely study Van Gogh’s ways of making the form three-dimensional. Learning to recreate Van Gogh’s robust brushwork, rich, luminous color, and potent, generous paint application, and especially his ability to sculpt with the brush, will help you transform any object you will be depicting into a weighty, voluminous form inside a convincingly deep space.  

This is an opportunity to help you transition from drawing to painting in the most natural way. If you’ve attended the “Volume” class in the Essential Drawing Course, you already have the idea – you’ll be able to apply the same technique with paint.

We will begin with creating the effects of 3D, learning to “sculpt” various forms using specific brushwork, and then will create three oil paintings in color in Van Gogh’s style.

Just like van Gogh, you will also be using oils. Expect to see a dramatic transformation of your observational ability and painting style: your canvas will contain more energy and vigor. This experience is going to enrich your creative process and open your mind to further experimentation with brushwork.

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