my Degas approach

For years I have looked at Impressionist art with disinterest. After visiting the Barnes Foundation last spring something shifted. Though I still haven't felt any sort of awe when looking at a Renoir or general still-lives, an intrigues has risen. Primarily in their execution of skin tone, especially Degas.

The project that I have been idling towards fuses my love for art history with my paintings. I intend to study the style and techniques of artists then apply the theory to my own approach. I've decided to start with a self-portrait with the hope that I won't get too hung up on accuracy on the initial embark into the project. For this portrait I have chosen Degas.

Degas is famous for his paintings of the ballerinas and capturing a fleeting moment. The moment is not captured with quick strokes, everything was studied and methodically executed. As he experimented with techniques he also returned to using mediums that had fallen out of fashion such as pastels. He also experimented with how to frame the subject. All of these nuances interest me and hope that someday someone may say the same about me. It seems like a natural fit.

Rather that dress in a tutu, I have decided to paint myself in a different sort of fleeting moment, a yoga posture. Yoga is a significant part of my life and I have been having a difficult time to balance my yoga studies and my painting. I seem to go through phases of one or the other. In attempt to forge this balance, I shall incorporate yoga into my Degas approach....   here is my initial sketch....

Not what you were expecting is it...