This was a fun one to draw. A bit of an experiment, I was interested in demonstrating how a specific repeated pattern could create the appearance of certain objects. The peacock feather pattern creates the ballerina’s flowing skirt. The repetition of simple dashes construct the poofs on her slippers. Dots and lines represent sand pouring into her hands.

Inspired by the work Aubrey Beardsley did for Oscar Wilde, the overall image is more deceptively simple, but I think is delightful in that regard. The white space and simple pen and ink design bring a levity to the drawing which is further reinforced by the simple peacock feather border.

This was also an experiment in clothes design. Nothing original, but I’m a fan of how textiles flow and drape, and this was a beginning foray into the phase of my illustration work.

A very enjoyable piece to draw and one of my personal favorites!