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
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
Self-Portrait Project – Sixteen (Part a) – Accepting a Passing Comment as a Challenge
The ongoing challenges of zoom classes are always more evident in studio art classes, as we experience critiques and conversation through a small video screen. This requires us to take our eyes from the work we are painting and look at the face glaring at us through Zoom. We are forced to re-adjust our perceptions … Continue reading Self-Portrait Project – Sixteen (Part a) – Accepting a Passing Comment as a Challenge
Self-Portrait Project Fifteen (Part d) – The Simplest Solution Often Works Best
Back to the struggle of what colour does the shirt need to be... I painted it light grey, added pink all over it, then considered unbleached titanium... only to then consider just making it black. I could add highlights after if I wanted. Before this point, I was also wondering if I should add a … Continue reading Self-Portrait Project Fifteen (Part d) – The Simplest Solution Often Works Best
The New Renaissance Mindset 