Self-portrait project – Inspired by Anastasiya Kimchenko

In preparation for an upcoming challenge to paint a self-portrait as "the artist"... yes, that's the entire description of the challenge... to paint myself as "the artists". We were given no other direct hints, but we were given an introductory challenge: paint a self-portrait in the style of a specific artist, or paint a favourite … Continue reading Self-portrait project – Inspired by Anastasiya Kimchenko

Self-portrait project Seventeen (Part d) – Me, By Contrast

I needed to step away from the other ways of painting so far and I felt I hadn't yet explored dabbing the paint onto the canvas, nor had I dived into a monochrome portrait. The former, because I didn't want to destroy my brushes, which is what tends to happen when one grinds the bristles … Continue reading Self-portrait project Seventeen (Part d) – Me, By Contrast

Self-portrait Project Seventeen (Part c) – Getting The Eyes Just Right

I was still dabbing on the paint here. You can see the impact of the stiff bristles on the canvas. I used mostly a matte Titanium white to pull up the emphasis on the features I wanted to... well, emphasize. At this point, I can feel how the matte paint is standing out over the … Continue reading Self-portrait Project Seventeen (Part c) – Getting The Eyes Just Right

Self-portrait Project Seventeen (Part b) – Laying Down Some Contrasts

First, the Part a would look like a plain black canvas, so I'm sharing a photo. Suffice it to say that I painted white gesso over the old painting then used a palette knife to load on some shiny Carbon Black. When that was dry, I first painted down the shape off the face by … Continue reading Self-portrait Project Seventeen (Part b) – Laying Down Some Contrasts

Self-portrait Project – Starting Something(s) New from this Old Model

As mentioned in recent posts, I've tired of the full frontal portrait and want to see what I can do with this profile. I feel there will be more possibility to observe the details of my own face this way. I've been successful in the past using black and white photos to work from, so … Continue reading Self-portrait Project – Starting Something(s) New from this Old Model

A Visual Reflection on: “The Hayloft” by Rosa Brett – The Autobiography Of A Painting

There is far less information written about Rosa Brett than other members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. According to Nunn (1984, 633), it was the intention of the artist to be an outsider of this group. Starting with the use of the masculine pseudonym, Rosarius, to her aversion of socializing with the other members who sought … Continue reading A Visual Reflection on: “The Hayloft” by Rosa Brett – The Autobiography Of A Painting

My Autobiographical Pattern – A Printing Project Proposal

Note: This is a proposal submitted for the first part of a Printing on Fabric course. Stay tuned for results and further explorations... Artwork Title: My Autobiographical Pattern Opening Statement: Isolation and limited access to materials due to pandemic protocols have presented the perfect opportunity to explore sustainability objectives in the practice of making art. … Continue reading My Autobiographical Pattern – A Printing Project Proposal

Self-portrait Project Sixteen (Part d) – My Memory Of Me Is Clearly Askew

I think I'm done with this one... for now. I'm not sure what else to do, because the more I add, the further away from m myself it feels. Just to remind you, I was inspired by the memory of catching a glimpse of myself passing in a mirror. I was slouching and had a … Continue reading Self-portrait Project Sixteen (Part d) – My Memory Of Me Is Clearly Askew

Self-Portrait Project – Sixteen (Part c) – Is It Strange That…

... I like the early steps so much. What does it say that I feel so much satisfaction from the results I'm getting in the earliest steps that I wonder if it is ok to stop here? The digital image is far more raw looking than the live one, in that it shows the details … Continue reading Self-Portrait Project – Sixteen (Part c) – Is It Strange That…

Self-Portrait Project – Sixteen (Part b) – Embracing What Works For Me

When working on paper I love putting down the basic colours with dry pastels and leaving the dust on the surface. I find that gives texture and movement to the composition. It has to do with the colours blending and giving the work a better feel. I'd never done it on a vertical surfacmwhere the … Continue reading Self-Portrait Project – Sixteen (Part b) – Embracing What Works For Me