Research Point

-Starry night pen & ink drawing by Van Gogh 1888 - 1889

I have chosen this pen & ink drawing to demonstrate the use of mark-making and the expressive way in which the marks have been used.  Looking at this drawing I first notice the movement of the night sky, your eyes follow the swirls which dominate two thirds of the drawing.  The swirls are created by short lines going with and against each other in a wave type motion.  The picture is made up of a variety of different effects, for example the town and surrounding fields are made up of downward lines appearing controlled and flat. I feel this gives the feeling of calm in comparison to the technique used for the sky, here the lines are directed away from the bottom half of the drawing.  The technique used for the sky has been achieved by using circular motion made up of short lines with different thicknesses   I feel this creates a busy effect giving the feeling of frenzy.  The marks used for the tree are waved with spiked ends jabbing into the sky, this connects the   drawing together.  Different mediums have been used to create this drawing such as pencil, pen and wash.  This creates layering which gives this drawing movement and depth.