Why did Van Gogh paint Sunflowers?

Question

Why did he paint Sunflowers and how?

Answer 1

 

The set of sunflower paintings from 1888 were painted to decorate a room for Paul Gaugin, who was to visit Van Gogh in Arles. I think he painted sunflowers because he was optimistic of the pursuit of having a community of artists together in France. The paintings are rendered in heavy layers of oils (impasto) with broad brushstrokes.

 

 

Answer 2

He painted it because he liked flowers and he used oil paints on canvas.

Answer 3

In oil paints using a range of different marks, van gogh spent a lot of time in mental institutions and there are lots of still lifes that he painted as that was what was around. He used his mark making that he developed through drawing into his work.
He was very much influenced in what was around him, look at the van gogh chair compared to gaughins chair both by van gogh, he paints everyday images but tries to say something. You could try copying in oil pastels and using a sharp point to create the mark making.