Vincent' s colours (overview)

While the days are getting shorter and leaves get the most beautiful bright colours the opportunity arises to study these magnificent colours in an artistic context. Who to better guide us through this study of colour then the master of colour himself Vincent van Gogh.

The unit Vincent's colours is inspired by the lesson plans of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. The museum offers a wide range of detailed lesson plans.

About how the eye perceives colour.
Starting with a more scientific approach students learn how our eye perceives colour. They learn that light conists of a range of colours and that when colour reaches an object we see the colours that bounch back from this object.

ArtLAB: Mixing our own Tempera paint.
In their first LAB assignment students learn how to mix their own tempera paint using a combination of egg yolk and pigment. Tempera was a primary method of painting until after 1550 when oil paint became more popular. Tempera is made by mixing pigment with a binder like milk or egg. Some pigments require more binder then others. The students produce several samples in order to find the right balance between the amount of  pigment and egg. Samples are collected and reflected upon in the students journals.

ArtLAB: Colourwheel
The next LAB- class students study different colourwheels and practise with creating their own colourwheel. Students have to mix secondary and tertiary colours.

ArtLAB: Colourcontrasts
After learning the basics students deepen their understanding by studying Van Gogh's work. Van Gogh used a lot of colour combinations and contrast in his work. Students experiment with a variety of contrasts, like the complementary contrast and simultaneous contrast. All experiments are collected and reflected upon in their notebooks.

To restore or not to restore?
During the fifth class the focus is the restoration and conservation of art. Students learn about discolouration.  Discolouration is the process of paint losing pigment. After watching a video about discolouration in van Gogh's works students prepare a debate about the preservation of cultural heritage. The leading question in the debate is: To restore or not to restore?

ArtLAB: Tint, shade and tone.
Students learn the difference between a tint, shade and tone. They choose their favorite colour and use this colour to mix a tint, shade and tone.

Google presentation Vincent's colours.