On a trip to The Metropolitan Museum of Art I did a quick line drawing of a sculpture by Edgar Degas which I later turned into a painting. He is known for his depictions of the lives of dancers . Often times he renders the extremities without much detail. For example, a face without distinct features, a foot without toes, and a hand that has no individual fingers.  I admire how his dancers are full of life no matter what visual liberties he takes. I particularly like his extensive series of small (less than two feet) bronze dancers that were cast after his death. They brilliantly translate his paintings and pastel dancers into solid objects. His sculpture unquestionably informed his two-dimensional work.

When I came across Dancer Putting on Her Stockings (Second State), I made a quick line drawing of the sculpture. I then squeezed behind the sculpture so I could get a more interesting view and did one more drawing. This time I had a nice Amedeo Modigliani from the neighboring gallery in the background instead of a boring flat white wall. Several weeks later I saw the drawing in my studio and decided to make a painting. The above image is the end result. Below is a photograph of the Degas sculpture courtesy of The MET.  I will update this post with the original drawing when I find it. (Found!)

The original sketch I referenced to make the painting.