We started our study yesterday. I plan to keep a running log of what we do
each day.
January 7th:
Intro to the study. We did a quick overview of the unit and what is
expected of them. They cannot wait to start. The girls got to open
they new paint sets they got for Christmas. I got it at Michaels for
1/2 price. Each set has 6 tubes of oil paint, a set of oil chalks, a
drawing pencil, a gum eraser, paint pallet, 3 paint brushes,
paint knife, and a pencil sharpener. All the things we need to
practice Van Goghs painting techniques. ( except watercolor).
We voted on how many days pre week to do the study. It was
decided we would start with three. ( that usually ends up being
five as we get into our study)
January 8th
Got these books at the library today: ( for those of you in our
area: The VaBch library)
Vincents Colors by Metropolian Museum of Art This book is for
preschool and early grades. However I like the bold color and simplicity
of it.
Vincent Van Gogh by ( no author given) Published by Gruppo
Editoriale Fabbri S.p.a., Milan Italy This book has nice color plates
and discription and opinion.
Eyewitness Art Van Gogh by Bruce Bernard This is wonderfully
chronologically ordered. There is so much information on his life
and the everyday things around him. Great real photos of towns
and his homes.
Masters of Art Van Gogh by Enrica Crispino I like this book because
with each technique of Van Goghs shown it also displays other artist
of the time that used the same technique. Gives a broad picture of the
art world during the time period. Gives a great picture of what each
town Van Gogh lived in was like. Has a really nice section on Theo
Van Gogh. Great information on Doctor Cachet. Nice timeline.
January 9th
Today we started the study of Van Goghs early life. We learned about
his parents, siblings, and extended family.We discovered what daily
life was like in Zundert in the Netherlands, birthplace of Van Gogh. We
did map work on Netherland. Had short discussion on Dutch architecture,
clothing and weather. ( we do tend to bunny trail where the childrens
interest are)
Interesting Facts:
His older brother Vincent Van Gogh was still born. Vincent Van Gogh
( the artist) was born 1 year from the death of his older brother and given
his older brothers name. His other siblings are : Anna , Theo, Elizabeth,
Wilhelmien ( girl), and Cornelius. Corneluis commited sucide as did
Vincent. Theo died 6 months after the death of Vincent. It is thought that both
Theo and Vincent suffered from syphillis and mental disorders. Several
of Van Goghs relatives were in the art industry either as artist, teachers
of art, or art dealers.
January 10th
Today we journey with Van Gogh to England, Belgium, France and
finally back to Netherland. We learn about the rapid industrial
development taking place in London and the poverty that is cause by it.
Van Gogh works for his uncle, Vincent Van Gogh ( goes by Cent) at Goupil
and Company , an art dealership, in London and in Paris. He also teaches
school and works as a lay minister, attemps to go to seminary and
ultimently ends up back home working at a book shop.
Van Gogh is greatly influenced by Realism movement of the time.
Painters were no longer painting "history" and religious motifs. They
were painting daily life, landscapes, animals. Gustave Courbet started
the movement with a shock ( for the time) painting of a burial in 1850. http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/courbet/
Van Gogh mentions to his brother Theo in a letter 56 of his favorite
artist of the period. One who influenced many of his early painting is Millet. http://www.discoverfrance.net/France/Art/Millet/Millet.shtml
"The Gleaners"
We will be learning all about peasants and painting and Van Gogh
and Millet tomorrow!
Painting by Millet
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