From the Artist: I've actually "killed two birds with one stone" on this month's project. Firstly, my first self-portrait in oil. Using a very limited palette, in this case, burnt sienna, white, and lemon yellow on the earring only. The major part of this work was done in about 3.5 hours (working with a mirror, not a photo) and still needs work for perfection, but I'll stop here. I have wanted to try my hand at a work in sepia only so this was a great opportunity. My family doesn't think it looks like me... oh well.
From the Painting Guide: I think we see ourselves differently to how others do anyway. We're used to seeing mirror images of ourselves and other people see us the "right way around". And, like when you're looking at photos of yourself the one you like isn't the one other people think is a "good one", so I think the same applies to portraits.
Besides, getting a likeness is only part of a portrait; getting a sense of character and personality is also crucial. While I can't say how much of a likeness this may be, I think it's a portrait with a definite sense of character of an individual.
Things to Consider When Looking at This Painting:
Tone: Look at how the varying tones used in the hair give a sense of texture and depth, without every hair having been painted individually. How the bottom edge of the glasses are created by a light tone which is almost but not quite the same tone as the cheek, how your brain fills in detail from this subtle change in tone.
Shadow: To my eye there are a few shadows that are too dark in tone, that want to be a little lighter to reduce the contrast with the rest of the painting. Specifically, the shadow created by the hair on the right-cheek and at the back of the neck, under the chin, and in the nostrils. I would lightly glaze over these with a touch of white just to knock back the tone a little.
Composition: Comparing the left and the right shoulders, the left-hand one seems to curve too quickly. I think I would also have painted a little more suggestion of a shirt down to the bottom of the canvas. At the moment that space seems too empty for me.
I'm not entirely sure if I like the little touch of yellow. I find it a bit too distracting from the face, but if the shadow behind it were a little lighter, it will likely be less so.
From the Painting Guide: I think we see ourselves differently to how others do anyway. We're used to seeing mirror images of ourselves and other people see us the "right way around". And, like when you're looking at photos of yourself the one you like isn't the one other people think is a "good one", so I think the same applies to portraits.
Besides, getting a likeness is only part of a portrait; getting a sense of character and personality is also crucial. While I can't say how much of a likeness this may be, I think it's a portrait with a definite sense of character of an individual.
Things to Consider When Looking at This Painting:
Tone: Look at how the varying tones used in the hair give a sense of texture and depth, without every hair having been painted individually. How the bottom edge of the glasses are created by a light tone which is almost but not quite the same tone as the cheek, how your brain fills in detail from this subtle change in tone.
Shadow: To my eye there are a few shadows that are too dark in tone, that want to be a little lighter to reduce the contrast with the rest of the painting. Specifically, the shadow created by the hair on the right-cheek and at the back of the neck, under the chin, and in the nostrils. I would lightly glaze over these with a touch of white just to knock back the tone a little.
Composition: Comparing the left and the right shoulders, the left-hand one seems to curve too quickly. I think I would also have painted a little more suggestion of a shirt down to the bottom of the canvas. At the moment that space seems too empty for me.
I'm not entirely sure if I like the little touch of yellow. I find it a bit too distracting from the face, but if the shadow behind it were a little lighter, it will likely be less so.