"Paintings have a life of their own that derives from the painter's soul." Vincent Van Gogh

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Ballerina 25

I knew I wanted to do something a little different, a bit more abstract, and I let the paiint take me whereever it wanted to go with this portrait. Focusing more on value, I let the color just happen. It was an interesting experiment and I am not unhappy with the result although I don't think the photo truly captures the painting. This one is 14x18 - oil on linen.

23 comments:

  1. Love it!! the colors are wonderful, Susan. Another perfect ballerina!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really did have fun with color - thanks, Hilda!

      Delete
  2. I think it's absolutely wonderful! I love how the light is dancing across her face. And such energy in your brush strokes! :0)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many thanks, Sandra - I like the way the light was falling as well :).

      Delete
  3. Une ballerine en fête ! Elle me fait tourner la tête... Les couleurs du bonheur qui dansent avec la lumière...

    Gros bisous à toi Susan !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bonjour, Martine Alison - and I thank you so much for the kind words and the link from your site to mine. Soon I will repay this generous gesture! I am so glad you like her!

      Delete
  4. ik hou van de uitdrukking op haar gezicht.
    Bedankt voor uw bezoek aan mijn blog.
    groetjes,
    Simonne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your soft roses are quite beautiful, Simmone - and thank you for the nice comment!

      Delete
  5. It's wonderful! I like all your portraits. You keep them loose but don't lose any of the nuances or personality. All paintings look better in person I think. Getting a good photo is always a challenge.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, Stephanie - sometimes it feels so frustrating when a photo really loses the essence of the painting. :(

      Delete
  6. Susan, it is a most striking painting. I love how you have used bright colors as "dark" values. I have come to the same realization with my watercolor. No camera, no editing does justice to the subtle nuances of the many thin glazes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And we get a double whammy as I think even the photo loses a lot when it is transferred to the web. But its the best we can do - and thank goodness for the technology that allows us this much!

      Delete
  7. Replies
    1. Many thanks, Darlene - and welcome to my blog. Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment. It is greatly appreciated.

      Delete
  8. Ciao Susan,
    le tue ballerine hanno un posto nel mio cuore: mi divertono e mi commuovono e le trovo una bella metafora della vita, fatica e piacere, goffaggine, tanti sentimenti in volti e gesti molto molto umani!
    Sei bravissima!
    Ciao, abbracci, Floriana

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I used Google Translate to translate your comment Floriana - "your dancers have a place in my heart amuse me and move me and I find a nice metaphor for life, effort and pleasure, awkwardness, so many feelings in faces and gestures very very human!" And your words make me so happy! It is a special joy to me when my work finds a special place in someones heart. Many, many thanks :).

      Delete
  9. My fav so far. I love the way you handled the paint.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's always fun - and a great learning experience - when a bold experiment turns out decently!

      Delete
  10. So adventuresome! I love the way you pushed the color in this piece. It's very captivating.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Diana - this is one of those paintings that just seemed to complete itself. I was thinking more about value and shape and really didn't see her until I put my brushes down!

      Delete
  11. Fresh! I like how the figure interacts with the background - and is fragmented in places - beautifully done!

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are welcome and brighten my day!