Ballet lesson

"Ballet lesson" 80/100cm Mixt technique on leather Pat from "Grace and Mouvement" exhibition ,this arrwork have been painted by applying a one-of-a-kind technique. A piece of leather constitutes the base which was prepared in accordance with a formula inspired by the techniques of Leonardo da Vinci. The Renaissance formula has been adapted to allow for modern materials to be used in the painting process, the artist opting for several techniques (water color, water color pastels, tempera accents and ink) to portray the grace as well as the movement of her characters. Vali Irina Ciobanu transformed her own studio in an alchemist s laboratory, experimenting for a long period of time to discover the right formula which would confer the artwork that intense color effervescence as well as durability. This style of painting came to her through the brief description of Leonardo da Vinci s painting La Bella Principesa, presented by Martin Kemp and Pascal Cotte in the book with the same name. Thus, the leather was stretched on a wooden chassis with a cotton canvas prepared in advance for the protection of the leather. As for the leather base, it was prepared using primer to enhance elasticity and strengthen the leather. Moreover, the primer is based on Gum Arabic (a substance also found in the color mixture) which makes for a proper overlap of pigments and the conservation of color vivacity over time. Finally, the artworks have been glazed with special kinds of varnish which do not allow for water to damage the painted surface.