Spirited Away

*Oil painting on canvas.
*Canvas is 30”X40” and was hand-stretched and gesso was applied before painting.
*Composition worked out in pencil and was re-applied with India-ink so the pencil could be erased and the lead not interfere with the paint.
*Color wash applied and then paint removed from where the figures were with a turpentine-soaked rag.
*Characters painted, than outline re-applied.

The idea was to try to sum up the entire movie "Spirited Away" by Hayao Miyazaki with one painting.  The gradient in the background was meant to represent her journey throughout the story and the growth as a person she experienced as she hurled through it.  Haku, the dragon, spans the painting to represent is role as guide for her.  The clothes she's holding are meant to represent how she'll carry the experience with her from now on.