Create a unique Street Art piece with our exceptional Van Gogh Stencil

The world of urban art is constantly evolving, and the use of stencils as a creative tool is becoming increasingly important. Today, we're taking you on a journey to the heart of this movement with a video demonstration of a unique work, 'The Sun's Embrace'. Using an exclusive stencil designed by John Beckley, this painting reinvents Vincent van Gogh's classics in a contemporary style combining street art and figurative art. Follow our guide to discover all the creative stages and get inspired to create your own works of art using our stencils.

The demonstration video: An immersion in creation

We are delighted to offer you an exclusive video showing the creation of the work "The Sun's Embrace" step by step. This visual demonstration is a true immersion in the world of urban art, where each layer of paint and each gesture of the artist comes to life before your very eyes. In this video, you'll not only see how the stencil is used, but also understand how the different painting techniques - spray cans, acrylics and abstract graffiti - work together to create a vibrant, contemporary work.

One of the highlights of this video is the simplicity with which John Beckley uses stencilling to recreate the essence of such an iconic artist as Van Gogh. Whether you're an experienced artist or a curious beginner, this demonstration will show you just how much the use of stencils can transform a canvas into a modern and expressive work of art. Sit back and let yourself be inspired by this fascinating creative process.

The Sun's Embrace: A bold reinterpretation of Van Gogh

In The Sun's Embrace, John Beckley fuses two of Vincent van Gogh's most iconic works: his Self-portrait (1889) and his famous Sunflowers (1888-1889). Each of these works carries immense symbolic weight in the history of art, representing both Van Gogh's tormented soul and his constant quest for light and beauty. In this new work, Beckley skilfully combines these two major symbols of the Dutch painter's world to offer a modern and personal perspective.

Self-portrait, in which Van Gogh paints himself with intensity and introspection, is one of his best-known works. It shows a serious, almost melancholy Van Gogh, bearing the marks of his inner struggles. Beckley takes this emotional aspect but projects it in a contemporary street art style, using bright colours and sharp black outlines to amplify this intensity. Van Gogh's piercing gaze is retained, but transported into a modern, dynamic context. To find out more about this self-portraitYou can consult the Musée d'Orsay.

The SunflowersAs for them, they often symbolise light, life and hope in Van Gogh's work. Here, Beckley depicts them literally in Van Gogh's arms, as if he were making his own these creations that so influenced his work. These bright flowers, painted with an almost three-dimensional intensity, bring a new vitality and burst out of the painting with a movement that seems to break the boundary between the work and the viewer. To find out more about Les TournesolsYou can visit the dedicated page on Wikipedia.

By integrating these two key works into a single composition, John Beckley offers a new reading of Van Gogh. It is no longer just about an artist tormented by his demons, but also about a creator becoming aware of his own heritage and the power of his work. Van Gogh, wearing his SunflowersThis reinterpretation becomes a celebration of creative struggle, where past and present come together in an intense visual dialogue. This reinterpretation becomes a celebration of creative struggle, where past and present come together in an intense visual dialogue.

The stencil: An essential creative tool

The central element of this creation is the Van Gogh and his sunflowers stencil, an essential tool that allows the artist to structure the work while freeing his creativity. The stencil used for this demonstration was specially designed by John Beckley for our shop. Measuring 80×80 cm, it matches the canvas perfectly and provides a faithful reproduction of Van Gogh's portrait and his sunflowers.

But the use of stencils is not limited to the creation of this central figure. In addition, a collection of 14 abstract graffiti stencils has been integrated into the work, adding to the dynamic of the background. These abstract motifs are perfect for those who want to add a street art touch to their creations, while retaining total control over the final result.

Stencils offer a wide range of creative possibilities. Whether you're an urban art enthusiast or a professional, this tool lets you experiment with different styles and techniques, while giving your work a solid structure and a strong visual identity.

The fusion of techniques: Acrylic paint and spray paint

To create The Sun's EmbraceJohn Beckley used a mixture of acrylic paint and spray cans, a technique typical of contemporary street art. This mix makes it possible to play with textures, colours and visual effects. The acrylic, with its deep, saturated colours, gives body to the work, while the spray paint adds the dynamic, spontaneous splashes that characterise the world of graffiti.

His mastery of these two media enabled the artist to create striking contrasts between the different parts of the canvas. On the one hand, Van Gogh's face, with its black contours and vibrant colours, is precisely detailed using acrylics. On the other, the abstract background, created using aerosol cans, gives an impression of movement and freedom, as if art were expanding beyond the confines of the canvas.

This mixed technique is ideal for those who want to experiment with different textures and effects in their own creations. And the stencil, by acting as a guide, helps to structure these experiments while guaranteeing a harmonious result.

Inspiration for your own creations

The work The Sun's Embrace is an endless source of inspiration for those wishing to start creating art using stencils. By revisiting classic themes in a modern style, John Beckley shows how art can be reinvented and adapted to different times and cultures.

If you're tempted by the idea of creating your own artwork with a stencil, our stencils are designed to make the process easy. Whether you want to reproduce a portrait, add abstract patterns to your canvases or create a dynamic street art-inspired background, our stencil collection gives you plenty of choice to unleash your creativity. You can also experiment with different mediums, such as acrylic and spray paint, to add volume and texture to your work.

Stages in the creation of "The Sun's Embrace

1. Creating the abstract background
To begin with, John created a wispy abstract background using spray paint. He layered light colours to create a blurred, dynamic effect that serves as the basis for the work. This abstract background creates a depth that will accommodate the more detailed elements later on. If you wish, you can achieve a similar effect with acrylic paint applied with a brush. John then added graphic elements reminiscent of graffiti, bringing a first level of texture and energy to the composition.

2. Using abstract graffiti stencils
Once the background was in place, John used a stencil representing abstract graffiti. This stencil, taken from our collection of graffiti stencilsThe use of a "street art" motif allows dynamic graphic shapes to be introduced, perfectly in keeping with the spirit of street art. These precisely placed motifs add movement to the background while visually structuring the canvas.

3. Filling abstract patterns
After positioning the stencil, John filled in the abstract graffiti inside with bright, vibrant colours. This creates a striking contrast with the steamier background. This interplay of colours and abstract shapes provides a rich, textured base that already gives the work a great deal of character.

4. Reinforcing graffiti with black paint
John then replaced the graffiti stencil and applied a coat of black paint to reinforce the outlines of the motifs. He added additional elements by hand, again reminiscent of urban tags and graffiti, giving the work a rawer, more spontaneous feel. To accentuate the dynamism, he has also splattered the paint, lending a sense of movement and energy to the whole. At this stage, the painting could already be considered finished, as it has a strong visual presence.

5. Adding the Van Gogh stencil and applying black paint
In the next step, John introduced the central character of the work. He placed a stencil representing Van Gogh holding a vase of sunflowers, and applied a layer of black paint to this stencil. This first application creates the contours of Van Gogh's figure and the sunflowers, introducing a clear reference to the classic works of the Dutch artist in a contemporary context.

6. Filling in the character and sunflowers in white
Once the stencil Van Gogh and his sunflowers John then filled in the inside of the figure and the sunflowers with white paint. This sharp contrast between black and white makes Van Gogh's silhouette stand out and brings a graphic simplicity to the work, while preparing the next stage, where colour will transform these elements.

7. New coat of black paint for the contours
John replaced the Van Gogh and his sunflowers stencil with a new application of black paint, reinforcing the contours of the figure and the sunflowers. At this stage, the work, in black and white, has an aesthetic reminiscent of Banksy's style, playing on the simplicity and visual impact of the strong contrast between the colours.

8. Adding colours to Van Gogh's jacket
The next step was the introduction of colour. John began by painting Van Gogh's jacket in shades of blue, giving the figure more richness and volume. This touch of colour contrasts with the abstract background and the black and white elements, creating a focal point in the composition.

9. Painting sunflower leaves
After painting the jacket, John focused on the sunflower leaves. He used bright shades of green to give them freshness and dynamism. The leaves stand out against the coloured background, adding depth to the work as a whole.

10. Painting the vase and sunflowers
He then painted both the vase and the sunflowers themselves a dark yellow, similar to the Cadmium yellow often used by Van Gogh. This vibrant yellow gives the sunflowers a vitality and realism that immediately captivate the viewer's eye.

11. Painting of Van Gogh's beard
Van Gogh's beard has been painted an orangey brown, a warm colour that contrasts subtly with the other shades in the work. This detail reinforces the expressive character of the artist's face.

12. Reinforcing the contours with a new coat of black paint
John then put down the Van Gogh and his Sunflowers stencil for a fresh coat of black paint on the jacket and sunflowers, which redefined the contours and clarified the key elements of the work. This gave greater clarity and definition to the whole, while making the painting more balanced visually.

13. Painting of Van Gogh's hands
Van Gogh's hands have been painted in neutral tones and skin tones, in keeping with the rest of the figure. These subtle touches add a discreet realism to the work, reinforcing the link between Van Gogh and his own artistic heritage.

14. Adding colour to the face
John then added colour to Van Gogh's face, using touches of green, blue and yellow, similar to the hues already present in the sunflowers and jacket. These colours unify the different parts of the work and bring a vibrant energy to the portrait.

15. Adding volume to the jacket with white
To give Van Gogh's jacket even more depth, John applied touches of white paint, creating effects of light and volume that make the garment more realistic and three-dimensional.

16. Last application of black paint with the Van Gogh and his sunflowers stencil
To finalise the work, John first applied a coat of black spray paint to the entire stencil. Next, we recommend masking the stencil bridges by gently covering them with paint of the same colour using a brush. This makes for a cleaner, more harmonious whole, while ensuring a flawless finish.

17. Adding final details to the sunflowers
Finally, to complete the work, John has added small yellow dots in the centre of the sunflowers, representing the seeds. These subtle details add an extra touch of realism and life, perfectly complementing this vibrant, modern interpretation of Van Gogh.

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With these steps, you now have a complete overview of the method for creating The Sun's Embrace. Following this approach, you can reproduce or personalise this work using the stencils and techniques described. Whether you're an amateur or an experienced artist, these steps will enable you to create an original and striking painting, combining classic and street art.

Why choose stencils for your creations?

Le stencil is a versatile tool that offers great creative freedom while ensuring optimum precision. In street art, it can be used to quickly reproduce complex, detailed patterns, making it a preferred choice for many urban artists. But its use isn't limited to urban art: it can also be incorporated into more traditional or experimental creations.

The use of street art stencil is above all a powerful artistic choice, offering remarkable precision while allowing great freedom of expression. This technique is appreciated for its unique style and its ability to create visually striking works. Integrated into practices such as street art, stencilling allows artists to play with shapes, colours and patterns, while maintaining a coherent composition. Its reusability and versatility make it an asset of choice for artists of all backgrounds, enabling them to explore new aesthetics and push back the boundaries of their creativity.

Frequently asked questions

How do you use a stencil to create a work of art?

• Place your stencil on a canvas or smooth surface, apply the paint using a brush or spray can, and remove the stencil to reveal the design.

Can stencils be used on different types of surface?

• Yes, our stencils can be used on a variety of surfaces, including wood, metal, canvas and walls.

Which paints are compatible with your stencils?

• Stencils can be used with acrylic paints, spray cans or even ink for more varied creations.

Can I reuse my stencil several times?

• Yes, our stencils are designed to be durable and can be cleaned and reused for many creations.

What are the advantages of using a stencil for street art?

• Stencils can be used to reproduce complex designs quickly and give a clean result, even for large-scale creations.

Can the stencils be combined?

• Yes, you can combine several stencils to create more complex and dynamic compositions. This technique allows you to superimpose different patterns, textures or shapes, offering endless possibilities for personalising your creations.

Conclusion

The art of stencilling offers an infinite creative playground, and with the right tools, like our collection of stencils, anyone can create unique and inspiring works. Through John Beckley's demonstration and the example of The Sun's EmbraceWe hope we've shown you just how much using stencils can enrich your artistic projects. Whether you're a street art enthusiast or an amateur artist, let yourself be inspired by this powerful tool and transform your canvases into real works of art.