Van
Gogh Inspired Starry Night
Summer nights are getting longer and starry nights appear sooner in our sky,
look out and up for your own inspiration or visit your library, go on-line or
open up your art books and learn about Vincent Van Gogh and his starry night,
which inspired us to create our beautiful fiber art masterpiece.
YOU WILL NEED:
Blue burlap or black
(Approximately 12” X 10”)
Large eye plastic needle
Yarn (black, 2 shades of blue, 2 shades of yellow)
Felt scraps (green and assorted colors)
3-5 Gold celestial sequins (stars, diamonds or celestial shapes)
Poster or tempera paint (any colors, you choose)
Glue
Scissors
Tape
* See note at bottom
1. Once you have your starry night
inspiration take a moment to discuss Van Gogh’s work and how the painting
makes you feel. Does the scene look calm, scary, beautiful, energetic, cold or
warm? What does it evoke for you? Do you want your masterpiece to bring up these
same emotions or do you want yours to bring out another feeling? How would you
go about expressing your vision? How would you make the sky move or set the tone
for the town? What colors might convey certain imagery and feeling?
2. It is a really good idea to have
a picture of Van Gogh’s A Starry Night with you for inspiration. Plan your
design by first cutting out the homes and buildings, your tree, foliage, your
crescent moon of course, windows, doors, chimneys, and other details you may
want to include out of your felt. Once you have your pieces cut out arrange them
a few times on your burlap and decide on your best composition before you glue
them down. Remember to leave enough room around the edges of your burlap so you
can sew a nice border with the black yarn. See Photo 1-below
3. Glue your sequins in the sky
allowing enough room in between them for sewing the gold yarn in patterns and
swirls as if they are dancing around them in the sky. You will find it easiest
to secure the yarn in the back of your work with a small piece of tape so
it doesn’t pull through while you are working. After gluing your pieces of fabric and the sequins now is the
time to sew in your swirling celestial sky. Next use your 2 blue shades of yarn
to sew in rolling hills and forms in your background.
4. You are ready for your final
touches. First sew a border around your entire piece with the black yarn, it
really helps to unify your work and make it look very finished and tidy. Finally
you will want to use a little paint to add some texture and interest to your
tree and/or your foliage. Observe Van Gogh’s own strong, broad strokes and try
a few of your own, we used a bit of orange, yellow and blue on our shrubs and
trees. See Photo 2-below
* Please note that this lesson is easily adaptable to younger kids and fewer
supplies by simply using colored construction paper and paint instead of the
burlap, felt and yarn.
Photo 1
Photo 2