Artspirations

08/02/2024

Why are Van Gogh’s brushstrokes so thick? 🤔

If you’ve ever wondered why Vincent van Gogh’s paintings seem to have a unique texture, it all comes down to a special technique he used: impasto.

Impasto is when paint is applied so thickly that it creates a three-dimensional texture on the canvas.

Take his “Self-Portrait,” for example. The paint is rising from the surface, almost like it’s sculpted rather than just brushed on. This method allowed Van Gogh to infuse his work with a palpable, tactile quality, making his brushstrokes feel vibrant and alive. The paint doesn’t just lie flat; it stands out, adding depth and emotion to every canvas.

This technique even revealed something about his mood. “Violent moods,” he wrote to his brother Theo, required more impasto. When he felt calmer, the paint wasn't as thick.
🖼 Vincent van Gogh, “Self-Portrait,” 1889, oil on canvas, 22 × 17 in., Collection of Mr. and Mrs. John Hay Whitney

08/02/2024

08/02/2024

Our August workshops at the Artpothecary are up! 👀! We have an exciting line up with some of your favorite local Artists. This is a great way to get creative and learn directly from the masters themselves.

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️Follow the link in our bio to check out the Artist-Led Workshops line up to explore what you can create with us this Summer.

08/02/2024

07/30/2024

In loving memory 🕊️🤍 Let’s celebrate Vincent van Gogh’s legacy, as today marks 134 years since he passed away.
Nowadays, Vincent's paintings and drawings can be admired in museums on all of the world’s continents – except Antarctica. Vincent’s travels were limited to Europe, but his art travelled much further!

In 1888, Vincent wrote to his brother Theo: ‘I can do nothing about it if my paintings don’t sell. The day will come, though, when people will see that they’re worth more than the cost of the paint and my subsistence, very meagre in fact, that we put into them’.

07/30/2024

07/30/2024