The Rehearsal is a large multi-figure painting depicting eight members of the Richmond Ballet. The canvas measures 48"x60", and is the largest canvas I have painted up to this point in my career. A great learning opportunity!
For all my paintings in the ballet series, I arranged photo sessions with the dancers and created my own concepts and compositions, arranging lighting, poses and costuming for the subjects in my paintings. However, for Rehearsal, photo references were generously provided by Richmond Ballet's staff photographer Sarah Ferguson, as I was not present to see this piece was rehearsed in late 2011, although I did see it magnificently performed.
Over the course of several months, the painting required over 220 hours to complete, with final brushstrokes laid the day of the painting's debut as part of the Hang 5 "Leap Week" exhibition at the Studio Theatre of Richmond Ballet. In other words, the painting was first displayed in public still wet!
The blog will also link you to my February 2013 E-Newsletter, also focusing on the creation of this painting.
To read any previous e-newsletters, click on the Email Newsletter on the toolbar, and hit "Read Past Issues". While you are there, consider subscribing to the newsletter and have it delivered to your email address about eight times a year, for all the updates on my exhibits and works in progress.
Sold October 2020
Private Collection
Richmond, Virginia
The Rehearsal is a large multi-figure painting depicting eight members of the Richmond Ballet. The canvas measures 48"x60", and is the largest canvas I have painted up to this point in my career. A great learning opportunity!
For all my paintings in the ballet series, I arranged photo sessions with the dancers and created my own concepts and compositions, arranging lighting, poses and costuming for the subjects in my paintings. However, for Rehearsal, photo references were generously provided by Richmond Ballet's staff photographer Sarah Ferguson, as I was not present to see this piece was rehearsed in late 2011, although I did see it magnificently performed.
Over the course of several months, the painting required over 220 hours to complete, with final brushstrokes laid the day of the painting's debut as part of the Hang 5 "Leap Week" exhibition at the Studio Theatre of Richmond Ballet. In other words, the painting was first displayed in public still wet!
Click here to read my blog on painting Rehearsal including additional close-up details & progressive stages of completion.
The blog will also link you to my February 2013 E-Newsletter, also focusing on the creation of this painting.
To read any previous e-newsletters, click on the Email Newsletter on the toolbar, and hit "Read Past Issues". While you are there, consider subscribing to the newsletter and have it delivered to your email address about eight times a year, for all the updates on my exhibits and works in progress.