I am in the beginning stages of a painting for a dear friend. It is a copy of Van Gogh’s “Starry Night Over The Rhone.” The picture was painted during Vincent’s time at Arles, in the south of France. While not as well known as his similar painting, “The Starry Night,” it is nonetheless one of his masterpieces.
I am very excited about painting the picture and more than a little apprehensive. Vincent is my favorite of the old masters, so painting a copy of one of his pieces is somewhat daunting. This will be the first time I have done an impressionistic painting. Ever since I was a kid, I have always been a color-within-the-lines type of guy. To capture light, shadows, depth and perspective using broad, bold strokes will be quite different than the style I am familiar with.
That being said, I have wanted to attempt an impressionistic piece for a long time, so I readily agreed when my friend approached me about painting this picture. Even though I will be working in acrylics and from a photo as opposed to oils in plein air, this will be a challenge, to say the least.
It has taken me quite a while to begin work on the painting. The main reason is that I want to be able to give it my undivided attention. I am grateful to my friend for her patience and understanding. But, the time has come to start slinging paint! Hopefully I am up to the task and will make it through with both ears intact.
Author’s note: Below is the finished piece.
