From the Artist: Here is my second attempt at the self-portrait (see first self-portrait). In this one I have attempted with many efforts, to achieve a more realistic color to the skin. I laid down many layers of colored glazes or veils, to try and get a nice depth to the skin! The actual portrait is nicer than the photo (honest) in that the color shows some depth.
The portrait may appear to be lacking in "expression" to most, however to those that know me (including hubby) they say it looks as though I am sad, angry or pensive because normally I am always smiling or talking! I'm not sure if that is a compliment or not? So let's say my expression is "thoughtful".
Next time perhaps I shall try a "turned eye" which won't look so 'staring', however I was trying to be true to what I saw in the mirror. Not an easy task to be that honest.
From the Painting Guide: Pensive and thoughtful are certainly words I'd use for the expression on your face, but it's also a look of intense concentration. If you changed the eyes so that you were looking out of the canvas, to the viewer, I think it may well make the expression read differently. At the moment it's as if you're looking at someone standing just to my right.
Things to Consider When Looking at This Painting:
Skin Tones: I think you've succeeded in making the skin tones more realistic than in your first self-portrait. There's a feeling of warmth and depth, of the subtle variation in color that exists in a face. (Same with your eyes.) The colors in your hair, as well as the skin tones, also show how you've got glazing working for you.
Getting picky, I feel the lines on the cheeks and neck are a little hard and would soften or blend the edge a bit more. And there's something not quite right with the tones on your ear -- it seems rather light given there'd be a bit of shadow from your hair. Particularly on the front edge.
Overall I think you should be very pleased with this painting, and hope you'll keep the first one too as a reminder of how your painting grew with the creation of these self-portraits. And then paint more at regular intervals to keep going.
The portrait may appear to be lacking in "expression" to most, however to those that know me (including hubby) they say it looks as though I am sad, angry or pensive because normally I am always smiling or talking! I'm not sure if that is a compliment or not? So let's say my expression is "thoughtful".
Next time perhaps I shall try a "turned eye" which won't look so 'staring', however I was trying to be true to what I saw in the mirror. Not an easy task to be that honest.
From the Painting Guide: Pensive and thoughtful are certainly words I'd use for the expression on your face, but it's also a look of intense concentration. If you changed the eyes so that you were looking out of the canvas, to the viewer, I think it may well make the expression read differently. At the moment it's as if you're looking at someone standing just to my right.
Things to Consider When Looking at This Painting:
Skin Tones: I think you've succeeded in making the skin tones more realistic than in your first self-portrait. There's a feeling of warmth and depth, of the subtle variation in color that exists in a face. (Same with your eyes.) The colors in your hair, as well as the skin tones, also show how you've got glazing working for you.
Getting picky, I feel the lines on the cheeks and neck are a little hard and would soften or blend the edge a bit more. And there's something not quite right with the tones on your ear -- it seems rather light given there'd be a bit of shadow from your hair. Particularly on the front edge.
Overall I think you should be very pleased with this painting, and hope you'll keep the first one too as a reminder of how your painting grew with the creation of these self-portraits. And then paint more at regular intervals to keep going.