On this course we will explore how Vincent van Gogh’s use of colours, compositions, and techniques influenced the Expressionist movements and many modern masters of the twentieth century, including German Expressionism, Picasso, Matisse, Soutine and Francis Bacon. On the first day, we will discuss what made Van Gogh’s work so influential, focusing on how and why his artistic approach shaped the work of these later artists. You will study and work from an expressionist painting or paintings of your own choosing, with demonstrations provided to aid your understanding. On the second day, you’ll work from photographs of landscapes, portraits, or animals, applying the concepts discussed on day one to create your own small-scale Expressionist studies. Finally, on the third day, you’ll use one or more of these studies to attempt a large-scale Expressionist painting.