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
Self-Portrait Project Fifteen (Part c) – Struggling with Colours
The hair was the easiest choice... almost. I wanted a flat black and decided to do a base of Mars Black with a little Paynes Grey over it. I had contemplated adding some light grey highlights (perhaps an unnecessary touch of reality). The glass were the blues in my own glass - also an easy … Continue reading Self-Portrait Project Fifteen (Part c) – Struggling with Colours
Self-Portrait Project Fifteen (Part b) – Take a left and dive in!
I wasn't satisfied with the acrylic washes on paper. It felt too timid and I wanted to really challenge myself. I liked the face I painted, but wanted to redo it differently. I've been enjoying the use of the pallet knife to build volume in my still life paintings and wondered how it would work … Continue reading Self-Portrait Project Fifteen (Part b) – Take a left and dive in!
Self-Portrait Project Fourteen – Product of a Welcome Distraction
I knew I had to give in and work with my brushes and acrylics for the class, so I dove in and started with a suggestion the teacher gave us... use washes. Frankly, I believe I only have half an understanding of this technique and my level of patience in working the slow build-up of … Continue reading Self-Portrait Project Fourteen – Product of a Welcome Distraction
Self-Portrait Project Thirteen – I just don’t see myself this way
I took a little more scientific approach to paint this one and tried to show how wide my (now 53-year-old) face has become. I tried to render my features a little more proportionately. Somethings are more accurate, but it just doesn't feel like me. I just don't see myself, nor my place in this universe … Continue reading Self-Portrait Project Thirteen – I just don’t see myself this way
Self-Portrait Project Twelve – I’m liking my Covid-crazy-hair
Stuck in the house most of the time and wearing hats going out for groceries and such, I just don't have anyone to impress with well-combed hair. My hair is nowhere as crazy-cool as Tom Waits', but it has some freedom to it. I took an old profile picture to paint from with this and … Continue reading Self-Portrait Project Twelve – I’m liking my Covid-crazy-hair
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 Six – Remembering Myself Younger with a Pink Denim Jacket
In my early twenties, I was almost always angry at something. My sense of privilege was frankly ridiculous and expressed itself through overcompensation and drama. Well, that sounds terrible. It wasn't a happy time for me. Looking back at photos I did make some interesting style choices, but the self-portrait drawings, which were very few … Continue reading Self-Portrait Six – Remembering Myself Younger with a Pink Denim Jacket
The New Renaissance Mindset 