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| Oil and graphite on cardboard / 44 x 53 inches |
This painting has been in process on and off for a few weeks and, today, I feel like it is finally finished. What inspired me was that my husband ordered a glass floor mat to put under the chair in his office and it came packaged between two huge and wonderful pieces of cardboard! Of course, with my interest in painting on cardboard, I got very excited and could not pass up the opportunity to experiment on such a large surface. Mulling over what to paint, it seemed appropriate to place one of my large ballerinas front and center. Once the subject was selected, I decided not to prepare the surface at all but to jump right in and paint directly on the cardboard. I started out with a graphite drawing and, when that was finished to my liking, began with oil thinned with mineral spirits. Thicker paint came later. The surface is 44 inches by 53 inches. It is the largest painting I have ever done and I do admit to really loving the way the surface absorbs the paint.
I will show you the stages of how this painting developed. (Click on each photo to see it larger)....
First the initial drawing in pencil. I had not added the man's face in the lower left at this point.
Starting to add color.
The finished picture and some close ups.
I hope you enjoyed seeing the process - and the good thing is - I still have a second gigantic piece of cardboard!
This is SO beautifully painted Susan!!! Your large ballerinas have always been a favorite!!! I can’t believe the size of this painting!!! Absolutely awesome!!! And thank you for sharing the progress! Very interesting !!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe the size of it either - What should I do with it now is the burning question - lol! It has taken over my studio! Thank you for your kind words, Hilda. I am always so happy when my work is appreciated by others.
DeleteA fabulous piece Susan, love everything about it . The perfection of the horses and the expression on her face plus her large arm movement to control them is just SOO great !
ReplyDeleteOh - so happy you like it, Jane. I spent a lot of time figuring out this composition and am pretty happy with the way it turned out. Many thanks!
DeleteBonsoir chère Susan,
ReplyDeleteUne peinture fantastique ! et tellement grandiose !... J'aime tes ballerines. Cette dernière est extrêmement réussie. Je suis persuadée que tu t'es faite plaisir en la réalisant. J'aime la force qu'il s'en dégage.
J'aime le gestuel de cette ballerine. On la sent investie dans son rôle. La présence des chevaux apporte une force à cette peinture.
Tu as eu raison de faire apparaître le visage de ce spectateur complètement captivé...
Bravo ma chère Susan.
Gros bisous à toi et à bientôt,
Hello ,my dear friend and thank you for your comment. It was the connection between the ballerina and her animals that I loved about this composition. And, of course, the spectator looking on to add a layer of intrigue.
DeleteThat does it! Now more than ever I am going to try painting on cardboard. I was going to ask if you used gesso on the cardboard, but you answered my question in the post. I love the size...bigger than life as this subject lends itself, and appreciate you showing the work in progress. Very, very helpful! Your work is always so fun-filled, energetic, humorous and rendered beautifully! Bravo!
ReplyDeleteYes, absolutely try cardboard, Carol. I don't think its for everyone but it never hurts to try out new things. Thank you for your lovely comment.
DeleteDear Susan,
ReplyDeleteYour work is always exceptionally well thought out and drawn with precision... and yet you never fail to inject a sense of fantasy and opportunities for your viewer to add their own interpretations to the work.
I feel this one steps further into the same "arena"... pun intended. It is a veritable circus of eye candy... color and rhythmical movement from which the viewer detach themselves.
Best one yet my dear! BRAVO!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
So nice to hear from you, Bruce. I hope you are feeling well and are all settled into your new home. Conceiving the composition was the most fun on this piece. After that, it just sort of came together on its own. I love when that happens! So glad that you like it and I so appreciate your comment.
ReplyDeleteDag Susan, ik vind dit weer een fantastisch mooi werk, hoe doe je het om telkens een opvallenda humor in je werk te krijgen....ik hou echt van je balerina's !
ReplyDeletegroetjes van Simonne
Thank you so much for your comment, Simmonne. I am always delighted to hear how others view my work. It brings me great joy when others find things to delight them!
DeleteFabulous...fabulous...fabulous! Complex and fun at the same time .
ReplyDeleteI used to paint on cardboard in art school. It created a nice flat surface as all the oil was sucked down into the base. How about the women in swimsuits series - are you thinking of them for the next one?
Thank you, Julie. This one was fun to paint and it went quickly. I am struggling with the next one. I have decided to stick with my ballerinas at the circus for now and here is a spoiler - the next one features lions!
DeleteBonjour ma chère Susan,
ReplyDeleteJuste un petit mot pour te remercier pour ton adorable commentaire rempli de générosité.
Dans l'espoir qu'un jour nous puissions nous rencontrer... Plein de bisous.