Painting a Ballerina Graphic

Painting a ballerina graphic.

I had the urge to paint a ballerina.

I desired to draw movement, and drawing a ballerina always gives me that opportunity.

I intended to add the ballerina to a tee shirt as a graphic, and I did in fact do that.

Painting a Ballerina as a Graphic - The Process (Video Below)

I started by reviewing some online images of ballerinas.

I found one that I liked, and made it my own.

The image appealed to me because I wanted to capture the crinkles, and folds in the dress.

I have found that I enjoy drawing flowing, bunched, and cascading fabric.

I first drew the image on a small piece of card stock.

Even though I had to erase, and draw parts of the image again several times, the process was enjoyable.

After the drawing, I used watercolor to paint the image.

The skin of the ballerina and the dress are very similar in color.

Both are neutral shades.

The hair is in a big afro puff.

The ballerina is not wearing ballet shoes.

Instead, she is dancing in her bare feet.

I filmed a short video of the painting process.

It is so much easier for me to draw a ballerina on paper than on fabric.

The paper is flat, and can be held still.

The fabric can be lumpy, and move around a lot.

When I am actually painting, either surface is fine with me.

The only difference is the type of paint that is used.

Watercolor, or acrylic are used for paper, and fabric paint is used on fabric.

If I am painting an abstract design, it is fine if the fabric moves while I am painting.

Fiinal ballerina graphic.

While I do not time myself when drawing or painting, I will say that it did not take as long as another ballerina would have.

This is because most of the image is of the dress.

I did not have to draw lots of detailed movements of the arms and legs.

I am nevertheless open to drawing detailed movements in future drawings as I seek to elevate in my craft.

To see this design, and others on tee shirts, please visit hoodiewood.