Painting The Space Upstairs

You may recognize this scene from my earlier post, The Value of a Value Study, about creating a monochromatic study of this photo taken in The Space Upstairs dance studio in Pittsburgh.

I used this value study to help me lay out the values of the final painting.

I began the painting with a pencil sketch.  When I had laid out all the shapes and gotten the geometry of each object correct, I began laying in washes.

I started with the lighter values, but added in some of the darker values and details to get a sense of the contrast and depth of the painting.

I slowly added more definition.

I paid attention to the values within areas of detail. 

By representing those values, I created a sense of that feature.  

For instance, the briefcase (brown towards the bottom) doesn't have any fine brush marks, 

but I did look carefully at where the shadows on the handle and the latches were, 

and tried to create those values.

The stacks of papers on the briefcase had much more detail in them than I included in my painting, 

but I decided that I wanted other parts of the painting to be the focus.

The final painting is my homage to The Space Upstairs and its magical creativity.

Many thanks to Pearlann Porter, Artistic Director of The Space Upstairs for the inspiration!

Inspiration from a Bookshelf

Last week, I assisted with a photoshoot in The Space Upstairs, a vintage warehouse turned dance studio in the East End of Pittsburgh.  

The vast open spaces, burnished wood floors, & eclectic furnishings were curated by creative visionary Pearlann Porter, head of The Pillow Project dance company. 

I've never really felt inspired by interior furnishings as a watercolor subject, but The Space Upstairs enchanted me from the moment I walked up the creaky wooden stairs.

I felt like a kid in a magical playhouse.  And this bookshelf was the most spellbinding part of the scene.

I painted this sketch from the photo below.

I love the way that Pearlann Porter's creative expression sparked inspiration for me, 

and I'm sure countless others.

When we follow our own creative vision and push past the doubts, 

we lift others around us and shed light on their journey.

May you pursue your creative passions!