Task 2 requires student to evaluating, researching, documenting, and analyzing the artwork or design selected and examine its design principles, along with its size, placement, purpose, and overall effectiveness.
Selected Design
Artist: Vincent Van Gogh
Year: 1889
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 73.7 cm × 92.1 cm (29 in × 36 1/4 in)
Visual Analysis
Observation
The Starry Night features a dramatic night sky filled with swirling clouds, glowing stars, and a crescent moon above a quiet village. The sky dominates the canvas, with thick, energetic brushstrokes creating a sense of movement. A tall, dark cypress tree stands in the foreground, reaching upward. Below, rolling hills and a peaceful village with small houses and a church steeple contrast with the animated sky. The color palette is primarily cool blues and deep indigos, while vibrant yellows and whites highlight the celestial bodies.
85 words
Analysis
Van Gogh masterfully employs contrast by juxtaposing the bright stars and moon against the dark sky, enhancing their luminosity. The emphasis is on the swirling patterns of the sky, which immediately capture attention. Despite the sky’s turbulence, balance is achieved through the cypress tree and village, grounding the composition. Repetition of circular forms in the stars and curved brushstrokes creates rhythm, while movement guides the viewer’s eye across the painting. The cool blue tones unify the scene, establishing harmony. The cypress tree, symbolizing eternity, connects the earthly landscape with the celestial realm. Van Gogh’s emotional state is reflected in the intensity of his brushstrokes and exaggerated forms, suggesting a deeper personal meaning behind the work.
115 words
Interpretation
The Starry Night is more than just a landscape; it is a deeply expressive and symbolic piece. Created while Van Gogh was in an asylum, the painting conveys his inner emotions, struggles, and longing for peace. The swirling sky may represent the chaos of his mind, while the glowing stars and moon suggest hope and a connection to something greater. The contrast between the animated sky and the still village might symbolize the divide between reality and imagination. Through bold colors and expressive brushwork, Van Gogh transforms a simple night scene into a profound emotional experience, making The Starry Night a timeless and universally admired masterpiece.
106 words
3 Sketch Ideas
Idea 1
Divide The Starry Night into two contrasting halves where half of the artwork is in the original tones and another is in warm tones.
The split between cool and warm tones creates a striking contrast, while the balanced composition maintains symmetry. The addition of a purple transition between the two colour schemes helps to harmonize the artwork, ensuring a smooth flow rather than a harsh division. This blending strengthens unity and movement, as the swirling brushstrokes guide the viewer’s eye across the painting. The reinterpretation also reinforces symbolism, where the warm tones bring a sense of energy and passion, while the original cool tones retain Van Gogh’s dreamy and melancholic atmosphere.
Colour palette:
Inspiration photo:
A harmony blend from the original starry night colour tones to the transition of warmer tones, the movement symbolising hope.
Idea 2
A realistic version of The Starry Night using collage method of realistic photography as well as maintaining certain elements of the artwork like the cypress tree.
This enhances design principles by blending traditional and modern styles, creating strong contrast between Van Gogh’s brushstrokes and realistic photography. The cypress tree remains the focal point, ensuring emphasis, while the composition maintains balance between sky, land, and tree. Harmony and unity are achieved through a consistent color palette and blending techniques, making the elements feel cohesive. Lastly, the symbolism of the realistic night sky brings Van Gogh’s vision closer to reality, merging artistic.
Inspiration photo:
Artist: Lawrence Lee
My sketch idea:
I edit using Photoshop for realistic starry night background and collage effect, making it a contrast between the painting, the background and the collage cut-outs.
Idea 3
Contemporary reinterpretation of The Starry Night which is close-up of the artwork focusing on the night sky with smooth, flowing curves and a simplified colour palette.
It enhances emphasis by focusing solely on the night sky, highlighting the swirling motion of stars and moon. Contrast is strengthened with glowing celestial elements against a deep, smooth sky, while balance and movement guide the eye fluidly. A limited color palette ensures harmony, and Gestalt principles like closure and continuity allow the viewer to mentally complete the missing details. This refined, modern approach creates a sleek, emotional, and versatile interpretation of Van Gogh’s masterpiece.
Inspiration photo:
I repeat the starry patterns for more emphasis on it and to make it more symmetrical, with the swirl as focal point.
Feedback
- Get inspiration and ideas for other interpretations of the artworks
- The artwork may be a bit hard to improvise but can try to play around with either improving the artwork to be more realistic etc.
- The visual analysis is okay
- Go with sketch idea 1
All your ideas are great. But your 1st idea is the best so far
ReplyDeleteThank you sir. I will start improvise with the first idea
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