We had our last art class this morning. Last of this series, anyway. There will be more classes in the fall. What you see below is what I did in class today. The subject of the class, should you not have guessed by now, was "Self Portrait".
It has always been so hard for me to judge my work. I suppose it is for any artist.
I suppose, also, that's why we look to others for approval. We ask others to judge our work. I know I am not a Rembrandt, a Picasso, a Vikki North or a Fred Zigler. Each of them are accomplished artists who have found their 'voice' and established their style. I am still seeking my voice. Although I find I like working this loose style I've found in this one and in the still life I just did two weeks ago. Broad strokes, light and dark, little detail or precision.
I like this piece. It even looks like me - which I find amazing. I was SO intimidated by the thought of even attempting a self portrait. I won't be so hesitant in the future.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Guess who
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16 comments:
Self-portraits are one of the very best exercises you can give yourself in art, Lou. I had an instructor who would say, “It clears the artist brain.”
If you can paint a picture of yourself… you can paint anything. They make us do them over and again in school.
I really like this loose style also. It creates a visible energy. When things get pushed to far, it sometimes takes the emotion, or personality out of a piece, especially with portraiture. I think it was Degas who said that ‘Why paint it if you want a reproduction of reality. Take a photograph. I am an artist, not a photographer.”
I did my blog on self-portraits this week also. They’re lots of fun.
Vikki
Congratulations, Lou! You did way better than I would have done. I really love the toned paper and colors you chose. Not a bad likeness either! Wow, you are on a roll.
Okay, your site doesn't like me today, either. We're even. I'll try to remember what I wrote the first time. Take 2.
I'd think that self portraits would be extremely intimidating. I'd question myself the whole time whether or not I was creating what the rest of the world sees. Maybe that's the beauty of it all, self portraits force you to look at and see your Self.
Redchair: I know what you did this week - it's like we crossed in the mail or something. I saw yours AFTER I put up mine. It was COOL. Thanks, though. I, too, like this loose style - at least it's what I seem to gravitate to.
Martha: How on earth did you find me? But thank you very much for your kind comments. The piece is done in oil on canvas on a board, toned with acrylic.
Hyphen mama: We discussed that very thing today. When you think about it, doing a self portrait from the image in a mirror, as we did today, means that the image is backwards from real-life. So, no, in this instance, what I have created is NOT what the world sees, it is the mirror image of what the world sees.
Definitely frameworthy. I think you did a really great job with this. I really like the broad strokes, and your expression. Well done!
Ah so. It looked just like a soft pastel!
I found you on Vikki's blog. See? You never know who's watching.
But you look so sad in the painting Lou. Is it an indication of what you thought about having to do a self portrait?
I do like the painting, it makes me think about the person in it. About what he's thinking.
SANDY: THANK YOU. I am slowly finding my voice and style. Last week's piece was such a disaster - it was too tight, too precise, too far beyond my skills (at the moment). If I had done it in this style (loose, exploring light and dark, without precision and detail) I would have been, I'm sure, much happier with the result.
Martha: I'm glad you're watching. Thank you.
warriorwoman: I'm not sad. I was focussed, perhaps. My teacher said, "Introspective". It was done from a mirror. Not sad. But not jolly, either.
Talk about introspective. You are certainly pondering in this, aren't you? The lack of color certainly makes me think this as well. The bold eyebrows make me thing you are very serious, and the lack of hesitation to include your flaws shows you are a realist - can't tell I was an art history minor, can you? I would be terrified to do a self-portrait, but you've done a very good job.
What can I say? It's great and I am jealous that you get to paint while I am stuck dealing with women who can't find a dress for a wedding or who want me alter their dresses and take more pictures of the clothing on models. Don't ever stop, and you really should try sketching - I think you would be marvelous.
Lceel, I really like that self-portrait! It's confident and expressive and it moves. More! More! In your landscape, two things: you need something in the foreground that makes it interesting, like... A lawnmower? Ha. Just something so that you have "a picture of" something, not just a landscape if you see what I mean. Look at most interesting paintings and there will be a focus to draw the eye, tell a story and make the viewer wonder. Also, I like that RED grass. Try using adventurous colours like that more. I am at the other extreme, today I am doing a tile series of a hen and chick and using COLOURS. Ceramic glazes are so much fun! Anyway, look around and notice how much colour there is in stuff. It is risky, but it makes the difference between "oh, nice painting" and "POP!" ... Well, you did ask!!
Hi Lceel,
I think you did a wonderful job. I can't say anything about brush strokes or what you were representing but I can tell ya I would be proud as heck!
I came over from Vikkis blog...
Jules
Sad eyes!?
Stumbled across your blog (as you do) from Nan's blog - Things I've found in Pockets.
BUsy day today so not much time to read... like what I've seen so far. Great piece.. but can't help but notice the sad eyes...
Hi Lou :) Like Tash, I met you via Nan. The sad eyes were also the first thing I noticed. Or was that the trepidation of doing a self portrait? Either way, it drew me in. Kudos on a beautiful painting.
i love this!!
i really really do!!
i wish i had some more artistic ability. i always have loved art and have always tried at it... i guess if you love it and try it, it some how counts that you are an artist in your own way, huh??
this, though... this is AWESOME!! you should be very proud of yourself and your work... you are truly gifted!!
xoxoxo
oh, you're an artist, how wonderful. a dream of mine, but sadly i have to stick to painting with words. my fingers are kinda useless. but a good self-portrait it is, you do look a tad sad though...
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