You’ve done a very good job here. I like the minty greens in the flesh tones, which actually goes much further than is the case in the original. The colors used in the clothing prove what can be accomplished by the interplay of warm and cool colors of similar values.

My criticism would be that there are still too many “flat” passages here. Van Gogh’s brushwork is always alive, even in the areas that don’t catch the eye immediately. Take, for example, the left shoulder of the coat (the sitter’s left, closest to the viewer): In the original, the strokes constantly describe form, and somewhat exaggerate form. In your version, this area is flatter and less-well defined. The blackish marks seem arbitrary because they do not indicate the “lows” of the folds.

The hair and beard are more even in your version, but I suppose that even Van Gogh — poor as he was — must have owned a comb and a pair of scissors. But I do miss the large buttons of the original. Very 19th century.

Please understand that these comments come from someone whose own attempts to work in the style of Van Gogh were less successful than yours. I sometimes think that Van Gogh’s art is a conspiracy perpetrated by the paint manufacturers to encourage artists to take up a style which uses lots and lots and LOTS of paint.

Hi Caroline! Decided to take you up on your offer and drop in and say hello

This is really good – tough and challenging challenge you’ve given yourself. I like that you are not trying to do an exact copy and instill your own style. Excellent job on the skin tones of his face. I love the bold color of his beard – for me, I’d like to see some of the boldness in other parts of the painting.

I don’t do oils, or drop by this forum much – so please – make sure you let us know in the landscape forum when you do another portrait. I am loving where you are going and want to follow along on your journey

Nice job. I have heard that some of his blues were actually purple, and the red was a fugitive color that has disappeared over time. You might consider exploring that in your work.

Yes, if you have not, you need to see an original Vincent. Even the best of reproductions will never be like experiencing an original. Reproduced Photo colors are different, not to mention the impasto.
There is always some learning by copying masters, but I don’t believe we can arrive at their style by copying.

Now you just have to work on the signature….
Nicely done.