A different Degas ballerina

[Denni]

Finally I can upload the pics!! It wasn't working before but now it seems it is. Not sure where this text is going to go though. I'm quite new to all this. The above pic is a Degas pic from a calender my daughters dance teacher gave me to paint for a mural to attatch to her wall in the studio. The one below is my version. Im doing it for free and it's the first time I've ever painted something for someone else. She didn't mind me changing it a bit like the colours (and the legs!) as it was the pose she liked. Just wondering what you all think and any feed back is appreciated

[objectivistartist]

more like "if Monet did ballerinas..." [after Degas, of course ] nicely done...

[panny_mouse]

AAAAHHHH Very nice Denni!! I love it! You really did a fantastic job and I do like your color choices. What size is it? I agree with Robert, it is a little Monet-ish. It's so hard to see what their legs are doing in the original but you did a great job of arranging their legs/feet. I really like the way the one has her heels lifted. ANd I'm really glad you posted it!!
Great work!

[Autumnwillow]

That's really great, Denni, and welcome! I am also wondering the size, and is it acrylic?

I think I'm having trouble with the leg positioning in your painting, because it seems the main ballerina would be off-balance... of course, there could be distortion. It's hard to tell in the original, but I was seeing her one leg bent and forward, which would support her weight.

That's the only critique I have, I hope it's ok that I voiced it... I love the colors, and the skin tones are perfect!! Thank you so much for sharing this!!

Michele

[Jakeally]

Lovely work on the skirts ... beautiful shading. Great job all round

[Denni]

Hi thanks so much for all your comments. It is acrylic and the size isn't that big is about 1.2 x 1.3 metres.
The legs were what I had the most trouble with. Autumnwillow you are right about the positioning of the legs in the original but I had tried to paint her in that position with her right leg forward and foot slightly bent but I couldn't get it to look right. I haven't enough experience painting figures to get the feet/leg proportions right so I muddled my way through them. I appreciate you pointing out that she looks off balance as I can see that now. I also think either her legs are too big or her feet too small but I'm not sure which. I also think the second ballerinas legs arn't in the right proportion either but I had to leave it or I would have driven myself crazy. I really need a clear image to work with so they were a huge challenge for me. I don't know why a ballet teacher would choose a painting where the legs look distorted anyway? It has made me want to go and paint more ballerinas from photos where I can clearly see the legs and get them in a proper dancing pose too.

[Fauxgeddaboudit]

Denni -

Niiiiice! This has a real freshness to it - and the rhythm of the flowers gives it an almost whimsical air! Your color choices and expression(s) update it nicely! Has she seen it yet?

What you might be seeing is that her calf looks a little large... but being a thick-calved woman myself, I think it's OK.

So glad you posted and look forward to seeing more and more of your work!

Sue Ann

[ann chavez]

i like what you did. i'd have that on my wall!

the legs in the degas look as if they belong to a deer, so i think yours are a big improvement! and if one imagines that this picture of yours is like a photograph that captures an instant in time, then in real life, the first ballerina's pose would be immediately followed by an action to halt her forward momentum (e.g., thrusting one foot forward); therefore, your interpretation works for me.

i like it. thanks for sharing!