Van Gogh’s bold brushstrokes, vibrant colours, and swirling textures have inspired artists for generations. His work is a great example of how art can be expressive, emotional, and alive all at the same time. If you’ve ever wanted to capture the spirit of Van Gogh in your own work, these five tips will help you bring his style to life on your own canvas.

1. Bold brushstrokes

Van Gogh’s iconic brushstrokes are full of life and energy, making them the cornerstone of his style. To paint like Van Gogh, focus on creating deliberate, visible strokes – we don’t want them to blend in. Use a flat or filbert brush to make each movement purposeful – the marks themselves tell part of the story.

For example, in Starry Night, notice how each stroke of paint is curved, almost following the rhythm of the sky. To achieve a similar effect, let your brush follow the flow of your subject. If you’re painting a tree, use short, textured strokes to mimic its leaves; for a sky, layer curved strokes in different hues to create the depth and motion of rolling clouds.

To practice, start with a simple subject that you’re familiar with. Use thick paint and keep your hand steady – overblending is your enemy here! Palette knives are great for adding extra texture and definition if you want your brushstrokes to pop even more.

2. Van Gogh colour palette

If you know and love Van Gogh, you know his colour palette was anything but shy. He had a knack for using bold, complementary colours to make his work stand out – just look at the bright yellows and blues in The Bedroom or the rich oranges and greens in Café Terrace at Night.

To paint like Van Gogh, think about using colours that create contrast and evoke emotion. Start by layering warm tones like yellows, oranges, and reds, and balance them with cooler shades like purples, blues, and greens. For example, if you’re painting a sunflower, use vibrant yellows for the petals but introduce subtle purples and greens in the shadows for contrast.

A key tip is to layer your colours rather than mixing them completely. Van Gogh often allowed small dashes of different hues to sit side by side, creating visual interest and texture.

3. Painting movement

Van Gogh’s work is alive with movement. His swirling skies and textured fields seem to dance on the canvas. To capture this dynamic quality, think about the flow of your brushstrokes and how they guide the viewer’s eye.

In Wheatfield with Cypresses, for instance, the wind seems to ripple through the wheat and trees. You can recreate this effect by using curved strokes that follow the natural direction of your subject. If you’re painting water, use long, wavy lines to show the flow of currents. For a starry sky, use circular strokes around stars to create the illusion of their glow radiating outward.

Don’t stop at the mid tones, either! Play with the linework and brushstrokes of your highlights and shadows too. Imagine your every stroke is wiggling on the page, coming together to create a bigger picture.

Don’t be afraid to exaggerate! Van Gogh wasn’t concerned with realism – he wanted his paintings to feel alive. Experiment with shapes and lines that add a sense of energy to your work.

4. What is impasto, anyway?

Van Gogh was famous for using impasto, a technique where paint is applied so thickly that it creates a raised, textured surface. This gives his work a tactile, almost sculptural quality. To try this yourself, use heavy body Dimension Acrylics or oils and apply them generously.

For areas like with lots of texture or movement, work up thick strokes with a brush or palette knife. Whether it’s tree bark, a swirling sky, or rolling wheat fields, impasto can enhance the movement of your strokes and bring the painting to life. In Sunflowers, Van Gogh used thick paint to give the petals a sense of volume and depth so they seem to pop off the canvas.

It’s okay to start small. Build up your texture in layers so you can see the movement grow bit by bit. Layering will give your better control over the artwork so you can create a sculptural feel without a heavy result.

5. Van Gogh subject matter

Van Gogh found inspiration in the simple, everyday things around him. From fields of wheat to cafés, sunflowers, and even his own bedroom, his subjects were accessible and relatable. This is good news for you – it means you don’t need to travel to Provence to paint like Van Gogh!

Take a look around your own environment for inspiration. A favourite chair, a bowl of fruit, the park bench, or the view from your window can all become Van Gogh-inspired masterpieces. The key is to focus on texture and character. If you’re painting a still life, emphasise the texture of the fruit’s skin or the patterns in the tablecloth with expressive, deliberate strokes that seem to interact with each other.

If you’re looking for a project to get started, check out how to Paint a Landscape Van Gogh Style in Acrylics for step-by-step inspiration. It’s a great way to practise layering bold colours and creating movement while painting a simple subject.

Painting like Van Gogh is less about perfection and more about expression. His art is a reminder that bold brushstrokes, vibrant colours, and everyday inspiration can create something extraordinary. So, grab your paints, channel your inner Van Gogh, and let your creativity swirl across the canvas. Who knows? Your next masterpiece could be a starry success! 💫

If you do get painting, let us know by tagging us on Instagram or Facebook @montmarteart or use #montmarteart to show us what you come up with.

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