I felt I needed to do one with my glasses on, even though I feel my eyes disappear under them. I didn't realize until painting in the outline for this, that the glasses feel so much larger than my face width. They aren't in reality. I let my hands interpret what my mind tells them … Continue reading Self-Portrait Project Nine – A Touch More Real
Self-Portrait Project Eight – Unexpected Results
The varnish was getting very muddy from all the dry pastel dust and it was darkening everything on the paper. This could have been very frustrating if I held onto my initial desire to capture the paleness of my Winter face. I was painting this live from my reflection on my phone screen. Before adding … Continue reading Self-Portrait Project Eight – Unexpected Results
Self-Portrait Project Seven – Diving Deep Inside
At this point in the explorations, I was feeling a little overwhelmed at how many more I wanted to do. I should say, I let myself get away from the moment of making and lost track of the blank canvas in front of me. I decided to look away from my selfies and look deep … Continue reading Self-Portrait Project Seven – Diving Deep Inside
Self-Portrait Project Five – Seeing Myself In the Works of Others
I'm not comparing my skills to the artists who inspire me, but I do feel that my style has grown out of their influence and I give credit and thanks to Modigliani, Roualt, Ensor, Soutine, and Beckmann for filling my heart and soul with light. In pursuing the self-portrait, I decided to follow my process … Continue reading Self-Portrait Project Five – Seeing Myself In the Works of Others
Portrait Project Six – Capturing the moment
The photographer in me seeks to capture the briefest moment in time. I seldom do this with portraits. Catching spontaneous moments in people's faces requires stealth, intimacy, and hubris. Well, I think it does. You have to have confidence that you have the right to get up in someone's space and captures a private moment. … Continue reading Portrait Project Six – Capturing the moment
Portrait Project Five – Finding the right combination of isms to ask a question
Cubism is or can be a simple form of expressionism. One can pull in colour combinations from Fauvism; play with minimalism, and still stay inside the concepts of expressionism. For me, there is always one point of reference for what the portrait is trying to say... it's usually in and/or around the eyes. With or … Continue reading Portrait Project Five – Finding the right combination of isms to ask a question
Portrait Project Four – The Essence of Emotion
Boiling down the essence of expressions is an instinct I think most artists resist. We are often trained to focus on detail and realism. Focused observation can reveal hints of emotion and even exact emotions, but so does a photograph. Perhaps, letting go of the real and just allowing the heart to express what it … Continue reading Portrait Project Four – The Essence of Emotion
Portrait Project Two – Finding a love of Grayscale
I felt compelled to try a more monochrome portrait here. I just adore the emotions and tensions offere3d in grayscale. It feels cinematic and gothic. I feel this one is a great success of tone and expression. I plan on playing more with this palette. Subject: I have to give credit to my inspiration for … Continue reading Portrait Project Two – Finding a love of Grayscale
Portrait Project One – Following an inspiration
In my ongoing attempt to overcome my discomfort with portraiture, I decided to do the part I really love... painting faces from imagination. First, I have to give credit to my inspiration for the next few paintings: Juan Martinez Parente. He found me on Pinterest and I've fallen in love with the faces he paints. … Continue reading Portrait Project One – Following an inspiration
The Used Horse Salesman
It's in the eyes. He has those used-car-salesman looks about him. Only he looks like he's from some Old-Western times... Trying to look the daddy and prosperous chap of those times. I kind of get the feeling he'd be selling a painted horse as a "new-fangled zebra". Perhaps I'm projecting but I feel he's got … Continue reading The Used Horse Salesman
The New Renaissance Mindset 