Ethel Sands

The way that light and depth have been introduced into this piece by Sands is very pleasing. The definitive highlight is a complete opposite to the subtler and darker warm tones of the painting. The way she has used a small amount of a cold, blue colour is utterly compelling, without it the painting would feel dull and unfinished. Perhaps she had used the blue as the wallpaper colour to represent a facade that she feels. Maybe she is showing that she is masking some form of happiness with a veil of sadness that is breaking. This is shown by her brush strokes as they they are small and broken up, which thus allows the warm tones to seep through. The way she has used to delicate brush stokes also gives her realism without the need for an ample amount of painted detail. That technique is something that I would like to replicate in future pieces of my own. The subject matter on its own can also convey a myriad of emotions. The way the room and sofa are left untouched gives a melancholic feeling to the piece. It suggests she is alone and that her only way of reaching out to others is through her work but if we look back at her use of colour she may feel secretly happy that she is alone.