Ellen Dreibelbis -- Finding Uniqueness in Portrait Images

"Sunday Morning"

20" x 15"

pastel

In this piece, I was very intrigued with the effects of light as it moved in and out, partially illuminating the figure. Value control was critical for this painting. I used a dark purple-grey paper which shows through the overpainting in places, and gives a unity to the abstract shape created by the shadow area. I then struck the lights using my softest Schminke pastels. This work is about the beauty and peace of Sunday, where the woman can commune with what inspires her, free from the demands and responsibilities of workaday life.