I would like to propose that painting people is hard, and painting yourself, especially from life, is hardEST, like of all things to paint. I wiped this 3 or 4 times, in whole and parts before arriving at this ... somewhat likeness of myself. My husband said it was me, but I don't know. Why did I do this? To be a part of David Lobenberg's self-portrait "love in". I've been meaning to paint one for weeks, but I got a reminder today and just ... did it. The lighting isn't terribly captivating - I just used the light I paint by. I'd like to try again, perhaps from a photo.
When I set this up I thought - it's a bomb!
18 comments:
Howdy, Carole! I just finished my daily painting, except it's the first one I've painted since our Salado workshop!:) Oh, well....... Decided to check my email and saw your cute bomb(it does look like one) and your self portrait, which I love! I know this must have been super challenging but I'm so impressed! I think you did a great job!
Thanks again for sharing so much with your classes. You are generous in everyway!
Love the "in my face" pear! And you are such an inspiration with the portrait. I too have been thinking of doing one, but with my painting hat on, to make some shadows. That will probably make it harder though... You've given me the push to try it.
Photos are definately easier than painting from a mirror. I think self portraits are hard, that whole self-image thing gets in the way.
This is just wonderful Carol! Maybe this should be put in your private collection? It has heirloom qualities. I was personally surprised that you posted a self-portrait, it happens to be on the same day I picked up my (finally!) printed and bound copy of my thesis which was about, you guessed, self-portraits...!
i happen to think your self portrait is FABULOUS!!!!! - i've never done one - been putting it off for years - were you just looking in a mirror? would you get a totally different result from a photo?- isn't a photo the way other people see us - straight on? - that's why i never think i look like myself in photos but i recognize myself in the mirror - i think you've inspired me! - once again...
Hi Carol,
You are absoutely right about the challenge of self-portraits from a mirror image.
I painted one many moons ago and had a lot of trouble with changing light, since I made the mistake of setting up in a west facing solarium.
I ended up finishing it using a photographic reference I got my husband to take. I was never happy with the results.
Maybe I ought to give it another shot with better lighting, once I recover from my recent rollerblading accident.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Carol, as near as I can tell, this is a great self portrait! Looks like you in the photo. I haven't seen you IRL, of course. :) The pear bomb is so wonderful.
It's beautiful carol, but yeah I think it's hard too. I can draw out the proportions before painting, but then when I get into painting I'm concentrating on getting the colors spots right and I end up eschewing shape truth for color truth.
I must agree! I have done a few and spend more time looking in the mirror with a bewildered expression. BUT, at least you are a cheap model.
Its a lovely, sensitive portrait - and it looks like you, except for one thing: in real life, and in all the pictures of you, your face is always animated by your happy personality! It takes a minute to adjust to seeing you with a "still" face :-)
Thank you all for the kind comments about my self-portrait attempt! It was really hard to post ... well I think for obvious reasons. I think if I were to try this again I would get a good photo first and work from that, and I would do it on a larger canvas. I used to do portraits all the time but in a much larger format. Ah heck, maybe I'll just post about this tonight ... probably not many will see this.
hi Carol ! to come here visit your blog is always great ! you have this style that makes everything strong and beautiful.
You inspire me to get on it and do the long avoided, self portrait.
I think yours is nice, although I have never seen you with your hair back. It is, however a good likeness, and beautifully done in your unique way.
Pair bomb is awesome.
Carol, I always find that the portraits from life seem so Stern.. with the concentration visible in the eyes, and never, never, a hint of smile... I did one from life which turned out scary, I thought, but it was me alright... LOL... anyhoo, I had to finish up with one from a portrait with a bit of a smile, to comfort me, and soothe my ego ! ha ! I think your style would be even more difficult to get a likeness, due to the fact that you are so "free" and loose in presentation. --but then again, that's your tremendous "gift"
still planning on meeting you at a workshop when I save up. Ha !
Carol, I always find portraits from life have a stern quality, with not a hint of smile... such concentration in the eyes, i guess. I did one for a website, and it was me, but a bit scary, and then I had to follow up with one from a photo, and a smile, just to soothe my ego... Ha !
I think that with your loose and free style it would be so difficult to get a likeness. But that's what we all love about your work. your loose, free style.. HA!!
I still plan on saving up to join one of your workshops in the future. !!!!! love to see what you are doing every day, and read your text, too...
I love the self portrait!
Your self portrait is spectacular, worth all the work you put into it! You might be perfectionist but sometimes that pays off. I love it. I hope it gets bid to the skies so that I feel better about not having the money to bid on it this time of the month.
It rocks. You really outdid yourself on it. Also it's so cool to see you as you see yourself, self portraits are something a bit special in art. They do say a lot about you -- don't be embarrassed, you're a great artist and a pretty lady.
Robert
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