Van Gogh Answers

Question 1

Subject matter (Van Gogh)

Answer 1

Van Gogh has created a still life of pears through his use of organic lines and warm colours such as warm browns and yellows on the pears this makes the pears look as if they were found on the street

Van Gogh makes the pears look old and battered by using dark tones such as dark browns throughout the pears to make them appear bruised

Question 2

Composition (Van Gogh)

Answer 2

Van Gogh has made the pears the focal point: this is created because there are cool colours in the background and foreground yet warm colours on the pears this has the effect of making the pears eye catching.

Van Gogh has used lots of repetitive brush strokes which helps show the texture of the background and foreground, the effect of this is it helps to show the rough texture of the pears

Question 3

Style (Van Gogh)

Answer 3

Van Gogh has painted his painting in an impressionist style, he has used repetitive brushstrokes on the pears helping to immediately draw your eyes to them

The thick impasto style application of the paint makes the brushstrokes visible. This brings life to the painting giving it a 3D quality

Question 4

Media handling/techniques (Van Gogh)

Answer 4

Van Gogh used short repetitive brush strokes in the foreground, this helps to describe the texture and light coming from the candle

Van Gogh handles the paint in an impasto style, the brushstrokes are very visible and directional, helping to bring out the texture and form of the painting

Question 5

Mood &atmosphere (Van Gogh)

Answer 5

In van goghs painting there is a dramatic mood due to the strong use of tonal contrast and variety of texture, the effect of this is that it makes the pears appear 3D

The warm calming aspects of the painting comes from the fact it appears to be candle lit, it appears to be lit by a candle due to the small flickering highlights throughout the painting making the painting have a relaxing atmosphere

Question 6

Form (Van Gogh)

Answer 6

Van Gogh has painted the pears with an irregular for. This means the pears look more interesting. The effect of this is it makes the pears look old and rustic

Van Gogh has painted the background with thick and Gazey brushstrokes. This gives the impression of a crumbly background

Question 7

Line (Van Gogh)

Answer 7

Van Gogh has used expressive lines in the background of his painting this contrasts with the smooth lines of the pears this helps the pears look 3D

Van Gogh has used thick and broken lines below the pears to show the light coming from the right. The effect of this is it shows the painting has been candle lit

Question 8

Tone (Van Gogh)

Answer 8

In Van Gogh painting he uses many dark tones in the pears and background which gives the painting form and contrasts with the light tones of the pears

The light source of Van Goghs painting can be seen coming from the right hand side of the painting we know this because of the positioning of the highlights. This gives it a balanced effect as there is clear range of tones

Question 9

Colour (Van Gogh)

Answer 9

Van Gogh has used warm yellows and browns on the pears which makes the pears stand out against the the dark greens and blues in the background making the pears become the focal point

In van goghs painting the use of dark colours in the shadows such as dark blues and browns, the effect of this is that it gives the painting an overall depressing feel

Question 10

Texture (Van Gogh)

Answer 10

Van Gogh has shown the rough and bumpy texture of the pears by using broken lines making the pears appear old and abandoned

Van Gogh has shown a rough textural bottom of the pears by using short and broken brush strokes making the pears appear dirty.