Sunflowers and Irises Workshop October 3rd 2020

One day workshop at Pegasus Art, Stroud, Gloucestershire please follow the link for more details and to book.

How much do you know about Van Gogh’s Iris paintings?


We are all familiar with Van Gogh’s sunflowers, but much less is known about his series of iris paintings. They were painted in the hospital garden at Saint Paul-de-Mausole asylum near Provence in 1890, the year before he died. Experts believe these paintings were simply studies rather than finished works and they are admired for their vivid colour and lightness.


If you love flowers and the work of Vincent Van Gogh then you will love this workshop! Indulge in a day of art appreciation and painting as you discuss the sunflower and iris paintings, the palette and techniques he used. Work began on his sunflower paintings in 1888, the happiest year of his life in the baking sunshine of Arles in the South of France. In a letter he wrote to his brother Theo, he describes his process, ‘I can only work in the early morning as the flowers wilt quickly and it’s a matter of doing the whole thing in one go.’


You will be working from a sunflower and iris still life and from Van Gogh images. Sarah will help you step by step and by the end of the day you’ll have a finished painting. Feel free to paint in whatever medium you prefer – oils, water based oils, acrylics or watercolour. You can always buy extra products in the shop on the day.