All you artists out there and appreciators of art will enjoy this painting, which shows Degas at his best in the use of color and composition. He must have been intrigued by the affect of artificial light on singers and ballet dancers, especially how up-lighting has a way of changing features like skin tone, etc.
In researching this painting, I came across this blog which discusses the composition and use of color in this painting, especially interesting is the description of how Degas used color and what our eyes see. My question would be: as an artist paints, does he consciously think about these things as he paints, or is it a sub-conscious? I have added this blog address, so much better than my trying to paraphrase the words. Color theory is fascinating, I will let this blog be my guest blogger. You have to copy and paste the blog address.
http://aboveboards-art.blogspot.com/2011/05/singer-with-glove.html
In researching this painting, I came across this blog which discusses the composition and use of color in this painting, especially interesting is the description of how Degas used color and what our eyes see. My question would be: as an artist paints, does he consciously think about these things as he paints, or is it a sub-conscious? I have added this blog address, so much better than my trying to paraphrase the words. Color theory is fascinating, I will let this blog be my guest blogger. You have to copy and paste the blog address.
http://aboveboards-art.blogspot.com/2011/05/singer-with-glove.html
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| Singer with a Glove, 1878, Edgar Degas,. Pastel on canvas. Dover Publications |
Color theory is interesting, and when I studied art, it was required. The Color Wheel, it was called - true colors, shades and tints. Degas was skilled in his techniques, I do admire several of his works. You are providing us with a great in-depth look at his work. Thanks, loverofwords.
ReplyDeleteI have not studied color theory, but I do like to paint in oils. I think to really understand, I think I would need to take a class that just focused on color theory. I have painted color wheels from "easy" art classes at a local, JC, but when I paint, I don't think about whether the color is opposite, or next to another one on wheel, or really think about what the eye sees first. I have so much to learn.
DeleteHi Natalie .. I must come back to this one - to read about the colour ... as synesthesia is one of my interests and I really must write up about it some time ..
ReplyDeleteFascinating - what a pose - and she looks like she really is singing out to us ... also there's a great deal of work in the painting .. cheers Hilary
Is synesthesia where a person sees letters as colors? Nabokov had it and he said that the shades of colors actually changed with different languages. How do you know you have it? Think of a letter like 'L" do you see it in black or in a color.
DeleteAs a painting, I dislike it however clever it may be. Not my cuppa tea. Unlike Hilary, I know nothing about synesthesia.
ReplyDeleteIt isn't a "pretty picture" is it? But it fit the "S" for the challenge :)
DeleteThat's such an unusual and interesting painting. The influence of photography is enormous. It takes a great artist to take the 'threat' that photography could have posed and embrace it to wonderful effect. I would say his action were highly 'conscious'!
ReplyDeleteCLICK HERE for Bazza’s fabulous Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
From what I read, in many ways, Degas was up on photography, industrialization, etc. Not so good on social problems, for example, the Dreyfus affair, but I did not want to be too negative. Might have a discussion for the "X" letter--do we forgive our genius's?
ReplyDeleteI have a series called 'My Heroes' and when I wrote about Einstein one commenter said"...but Einstein was unkind to the women in his life." It posed an interesting question about forgiving geniuses.
DeleteI love the under-lighting in this painting. This completely changed the performer and my thoughts about her.
ReplyDeleteThere is magic in how the stage is lit and how performers are lighted. Now it is so sophisticated, with computers doing the lighting. But it is a fascinating painting to study. Thanks, Susan.
DeleteI have a friend who is an artist and she was sharing some of the things she is learning with me. It is fascinating. I never knew there was so much work put into art. It makes them even more wonderful
ReplyDeleteThere is so much to learn, and when you find out that Degas and others spent years in museums copying the great masters, it makes you feel humble when you try and paint anything.
ReplyDeleteShe does seem like she is singing with all of her energy.
ReplyDeleteI wonder though if her hair was flat on top because of the style of those times or it is just one of the things that the artist did, because it does seem like she would have fuller head of hair if we look close by her ear.
Perhaps, they had flat hairstyles on top because everyone wore hats, even poor ladies.
ReplyDelete