I created this colourful painting using digital painting techniques, based on a photograph I took myself. Whereas the original photo showed an intimate and quiet scene, I chose to transform the scene into a moment full of movement and joy. The couple who previously sat silently on the steps are now dancing with abandon in the middle of the narrow street, as if the stones and old facades resonate with their rhythm.
With expressive brushstrokes and a rich colour palette of warm and cool tones, I wanted to emphasise the power of contrast: the everyday is transformed into something sparkling and almost magical. Light plays an important role in this work; it not only gives depth to the architecture, but also creates a warm glow that frames the dance and enhances the energy of the moment.
The combination of photography and digital painting creates a work that feels at once realistic and dreamlike. It is an ode to the possibility of discovering unexpected beauty, joy and movement even in the most ordinary corners of a city.
Created by Geert Van Baelen with support from AI.
Geert Van Baelen has been working as a press photographer in Belgium for over 20 years. Besides current affairs, he also finds inspiration for his images in everyday life, landscapes and people... Read more…