HatFields VS McCoys dance performance backdrops

Design, Illustration, Solutions, Workshop / By

The Dance Factory of Morganton contacted me about providing backdrops for a Christmas program. To fit their needs and budget, I designed three 15′ x 20′ backgrounds, which we hand painted on seamed canvas.

Cabin sketch, McCoys.
Background sketch. Drawing with a paint style in mind. (Also, while it looks like lined notebook paper behind, this is a 4′ square sheet of butcher paper resting on my sign writing desk. The lines are 4″ guides.)
Cabin sketch, Hatfields.
Background color sample for design approval.
No space to hang anything this big, so we spread plastic and painted on the floor. I used a laser level to project grid lines for transferring the drawings to the canvas. I’m using standard seamed painter’s canvas drop cloths from the local hardware store! Not my first choice for this kind of work, but budgetary concerns ruled the decision-making process.
We wanted to give the Cabin paintings a “Currier & Ives” kind of feel.
Backdrops hung at the event. This is the stage right drop.
Center drop.
And the stage left drop.
Corner detail.
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