Question: Self Portraits

[Kathryn Wilson]

I am looking for new things to challenge myself in the new year and it was suggested that I try a self portrait - yikes!

My questions to you are: have you tried to do one? How did you go about setting it up? Did you take photos instead of trying to paint from real life?

I would like to do one is that is a 3/4 figure at the easel - if you've done one, please post!

I can use all the help/advice I can get.

[PeggyB]

Haven't done one in years, and that was in charcoal - no idea where it went. I did it from life by sitting at my easel beside a full length mirror - ala Norman Rockwell without the paintbrush in my mouth. LOL I also did another one in pencil from a photo of just my head. I liked working from life best, but you'll have to decide for yourself what you prefer. May I suggest trying a charcoal version done in both ways first? You'll also work out some of the value and composition problems that way before committing to the much more expensive pastels.
Peggy

[Kathryn Wilson]

As always, excellent advice! I will try the charcoal first - how big did you do the full-length portrait Peggy?

[PeggyB]

Originally Posted by Kathryn Wilson

As always, excellent advice! I will try the charcoal first - how big did you do the full-length portrait Peggy?

It was an 18 X 24 drawing on newsprint! No wonder it no longer exists. LOL At the time, I had lots of practice with life drawing in very quick poses - 10 seconds was the fastest of them - so looking in the mirror, getting what I needed from my face or posture, and then looking away wasn't difficult for me then. Can't say it would be the same today!

I look forward to reading more about your adventure in self portraiture.

Peggy

[Deborah Secor]

I don't have one to show either. Years ago I set up a full length mirror and painted from life--and then as it looked so odd to everyone I realized the mirror was distorted! It bowed slightly creating a squished look. I thought it was fine but others looked so puzzled. So if you use a mirror be sure it's a good one! (*Note to self: exactly how ELSE would she do a self-portrait? Doh!)

I found it very hard to do. I didn't want to get all dolled up to paint, but does the world want to see me the way I look when I paint? Do I want to show that? It showed me how vain I am, that's for sure. Now that I'm aging I may have more freedom to just be me and not worry how I look, so a self-portrait could make it past that vanity one day!

Wish I had more advice for you, Kat, but I think scale is definitely a big part of the decisions you'll have to make.

Deborah

[PeggyB]

Originally Posted by Deborah Secor

I don't have one to show either. Years ago I set up a full length mirror and painted from life--and then as it looked so odd to everyone I realized the mirror was distorted! It bowed slightly creating a squished look. I thought it was fine but others looked so puzzled. So if you use a mirror be sure it's a good one! (*Note to self: exactly how ELSE would she do a self-portrait? Doh!)

I found it very hard to do. I didn't want to get all dolled up to paint, but does the world want to see me the way I look when I paint? Do I want to show that? It showed me how vain I am, that's for sure. Now that I'm aging I may have more freedom to just be me and not worry how I look, so a self-portrait could make it past that vanity one day!

Deborah

Oh Deborah this is just too funny! I can't imagine you thinking you needed to dress up... Since I had the Rockwell portrait in mind when I did my drawing, I didn't have this problem. I wore my old jeans and well painted shirt - it was in the days of my acrylic paintings, and if I'd done it in color the portrait would have been very colorful indeed - remember the colors of the late 60s/early 70s???

If I were to do it in pastel today, I'd most certainly have to add pastel smudges to my face!
Peggy

[Kathryn Wilson]

Anyone want to join in the challenge? We could start a thread with our progresses? I am not going to start until after the holiday, but will spend this month getting stuff pulled together.

This might be a wash, but could be fun.

LOL - I was thinking the same thing, Deborah, what do I wear? Maybe my painting apron will have to do.

[Colorix]

Kathryn, self portraits are fun to do! The model is always present, does not complain, and always obey your slightest thought about keeping or changing position, never quits before you do, and doesn't talk back!

Done a few when I was learning drawing. My first oil painting was one (horrible, it may still be in the garage...) IMHO, the best challenge is to draw from life, using a mirror. You may use a photo for help getting measures correct, but it is hard to keep the same expression when you switch to mirror.

Things I learned:
1) Have large enough mirror, preferably one you can swivel and tilt.
2) Measure, measure, measure.
3) Don't stare at the image in the mirror, especially not when doing eyes! You don't want a gimlet stare in the painting.
4) Place the light well, so you get shadows and lights in face.
5) Don't panic.

And, remember, you may like it, think it is a good likeness, and everybody else will not. For the same reason as why we are never happy with photos of ourselves -- in photos we see ourselves as other see us, but in the mirror, we see a mirror image. In mirror, the left eye is to our left, and in photo, on our right, the face we scrutinize every morning in the bathroom mirror doesn't look like that. (Take a photo of yourself and turn it so you see it in a mirror --suddenly you will see it is indeed you!.)

Good luck, have fun, an please show!

[Kathryn Wilson]

Thanks for the help Charlie! It will be challenging for me as I have just started doing figure sketching again after a very long, long absence.

I was invited to join a figure group for the day when I was in Asheville, NC - I was not told the model would be nude! Ha! Thank goodness it was a female, but my mouth dropped when she started to undress. I was good though, only blushed a bit

[Tracy Lang]

I'd love to join the challenge as this is something I've always wanted to do!

I remember reading somewhere that using a "black mirror" (which can be made simply by putting black paper in a frame) can be helpful for facial features as it allows you to just concentrate on the big shapes first.

Tracy

[Kathryn Wilson]

Hi Tracy - anybody is welcome to this challenge - the more the merrier!

[johndill01]

quote "The model is always present, does not complain, and always "obey your slightest thought about keeping or changing position, never quits before you do, and doesn't talk back!"

I'm going to have to look for a new model. Mine complains all the time and is constantly talking back. Any volunteers?

John

[Kathryn Wilson]

Hi John! Good to see you again - will you be joining us?

[K Taylor-Green]

I did one years ago from a photograph. Have no idea where it is now as I have moved several times since then.

[Deborah Secor]

Originally Posted by PeggyB

Oh Deborah this is just too funny! I can't imagine you thinking you needed to dress up... Since I had the Rockwell portrait in mind when I did my drawing, I didn't have this problem. I wore my old jeans and well painted shirt - it was in the days of my acrylic paintings, and if I'd done it in color the portrait would have been very colorful indeed - remember the colors of the late 60s/early 70s???

If I were to do it in pastel today, I'd most certainly have to add pastel smudges to my face!
Peggy

I wasn't even thinking about clothing, just make-up and...well, maybe having to comb my hair. I know, I know--most of you get up and comb your hair but some days I didn't even bother. Hey, I lived out and away from people, no one dropped in there! Now I sort of spruce up a bit since folks do come to the door, or there's likely to be someone walking past when I get the mail.

My self-portrait(s) were far more devoted to the face than to a full-body study. I wanted to learn how to do eyes and lips and hair. My gigantic ego seemed to think I could nail arms and legs, elbows and knees and shoulders, just not eyebrows or nostrils--don't ask me why!

I can't promise I'm in on this one. Maaaaaybe. We'll see. I suspect the old vanity may still be in effect. Oy! (Talk to me when I haven't just gotten my cholesterol count from the doctor, okay? )

Deborah