Inside Brush Flow: Painting Van Gogh’s Wheat Fields with Cypresses

Last night we had so much fun inside my Brush Flow community, painting along together live. We took on Van Gogh’s Wheat Fields with Cypresses — such a bold, beautiful piece full of life and movement.

Now, I know what you might be thinking — why copy a master painting? Isn’t that just copying? But here’s the thing… it’s one of the oldest ways to learn. In fact, many of the great masters learnt this way themselves, studying the works that came before them. It helps you to see how a painting is built up — the layers, the brushstrokes, the way colour is used to bring the scene to life. And let’s be honest, there’s so much we can soak up just by giving it a go.

In our session, it wasn’t about making a perfect painting. It was about responding in the moment, tuning into the feel of the brushwork, and just letting go of the pressure. The energy, the marks, the movement — that’s where the magic is.

The Impressionists have always been my favourite. I’ve probably got nearly every book ever printed on them (or at least, that’s what my husband thinks… ha!). There’s something about their work that just speaks to me.

So what is it that makes their paintings so magical?

For me, it’s that fleeting moment in time they capture — like the shimmer of light on a field, or a figure caught mid-step. They weren’t trying to get every little detail right. It was more about mood and movement. Their brushstrokes are loose, expressive. You can feel their energy in the paint. That’s what I love.

Here’s another painting we’ve done inside Brush Flow — Starry Night. This one is full of swirling skies, vibrant colour, and so much movement. It’s a perfect example of how paint can dance on the surface.

What Can we Learn from the Impressionists?

Here are a few lovely takeaways to help you bring some of that bold, expressive spirit into your own painting:

• Let go of perfection – it’s not about getting every line right, it’s about feeling the scene.
• Use bold brushstrokes – don’t be afraid to show those lovely gestural marks.
• Work with light and shadow – try noticing how light changes a scene and play with it.
• Paint quickly – speed can help loosen you up. Try setting a timer and see what happens.
• Focus on the feeling – ask yourself, what mood am I trying to capture?

If you’d love to dive deeper into this, I have just four spaces left on my in-person ‘Paint Like the Impressionists’ workshop happening next month. It’s a full, joyful day of painting together — exploring expressive mark-making, colour, and learning to loosen up and trust the process.

If that sounds like something you’d love, pop over and grab your spot here: Join In-Person Workshop