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 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 Eleven – Inside My Head, I’m Handsome
Ok, I have to laugh at myself sometimes. I feel I've painted a smirk of self-admiration in this portrait. Maybe I catch a different me in my camera lens than in the mirrors I have at home. Maybe I am resisting the reality that I am starting to look my age. Maybe I just like … Continue reading Self-Portrait Project Eleven – Inside My Head, I’m Handsome
Self-Portrait Project Ten – A Direct Gaze
Looking straight at myself to paint is a strange feeling. I don't feel as self-conscious as I used to when starting this process and I'm noticing more little facial quirks and mannerisms. In this case, I tend to raise one eyebrow, usually the right one, just as I'm about to take my gaze from the … Continue reading Self-Portrait Project Ten – A Direct Gaze
Self-Portrait Project Nine – A Touch More Real
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
The New Renaissance Mindset 