Shoes Off

A pair of pointe shoes hangs by their ribbons against a pale, neutral ground. The palette stays close — soft pinks, browns and greys — with the light falling on the satin and the toes. I let the shoes sit just off-centre, with the ribbons leading the eye down. I worked the background thin and kept it quiet so the shoes carry the painting. The satin and the worn toes are handled with looser, blended strokes. The aim was accurate form without overworking the surface.