Landscape in Stormy Weather 1885

Vincent van Gogh made this drawing with chalk on paper. Looking at it, you can almost feel the wind whipping across the field. Van Gogh masterfully uses chalk to capture this intensity. Notice how the strokes aren't just lines, but imbued with a sense of movement. The texture of the chalk on the paper adds to the raw, visceral feel, as if the storm itself is etched onto the surface. Drawing was fundamental to Van Gogh's practice. It allowed him to quickly capture scenes and ideas. Unlike the slow and deliberate process of painting with oils, the relative immediacy of chalk allowed him to connect with the landscape. The rough, earthy quality of the material also mirrors the landscape he depicted, bridging the gap between the artist, his materials, and the world around him. Consider how the choice of material shapes our understanding of the artwork. Van Gogh elevates the humble medium of chalk to create a powerful and enduring image.