Self portrait Questions

[sharkbarf]

Goal: paint a self portrait in my studio.
I'd like to include me at the easel, brush in hand, looking at my computer screen. Since I'm showing the table the computer is sitting on I thought I'd put a vase of flowers on it.

Questions: Below is a quick value study for the general lay out.

I tend to make "busy" work. Is this too much? I feel like it is too simple for my taste. I'd like to add a still life, or something to the table, but would that be too much?

Is the geometry too overpowering? Too many straight lines? I personally like the look of squares, but how could I change that to create a better flow.

Should the large blue rectangle (painting) in the top left corner be smaller? Is that even a good space for a painting or will it take away from the rest?

Any thing you can think to help would be great. I've been painting for years but only now have I started to think about composition seriously.

[loft artist]

looks ok , but its hard trying too imagine the pose with you in the frame , when your not in it !It is stretching my imagination a bit , when you add your figure to it it might be weighted too far to the right ,my preference is I would prefer the figure to be central .

loft

[sharkbarf]

Originally Posted by loft artist

looks ok , but its hard trying too imagine the pose with you in the frame , when your not in it !It is stretching my imagination a bit , when you add your figure to it it might be weighted too far to the right ,my preference is I would prefer the figure to be central .

loft

I knew that would come up. I just figured it would be easier to think about the composition while looking at my space from a far, instead of setting up the mirror (for now). I've done another study already, but my next one I'll paint the figure in.

One thing I've heard repeatedly as a basic compositional rule is to not put the focal point in the center. So thats actually something I thought might work by putting it off a bit.

I'm super new to thinking about compositions though.

[sharkbarf]

Here's my next attempt.
I slightly moved the canvas to "point" to where the face will be and Moved the painting on the wall so that it was behind the computer for overlapping creates a better sense of depth.



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[loft artist]

Hi Sharky
Rules are what you make them of course and in the end it's what works for you , the composition is after all 'you' and 'your studio' , and the story it tells , if it works great ! but it might turn out to be your studio with you in the background . it would appeal better to me if the chair you sat on was nearer to the front by the right hand table leg .
what do you think ?

regards loft

[sharkbarf]

Originally Posted by loft artist

Hi Sharky
Rules are what you make them of course and in the end it's what works for you , the composition is after all 'you' and 'your studio' , and the story it tells , if it works great ! but it might turn out to be your studio with you in the background . it would appeal better to me if the chair you sat on was nearer to the front by the right hand table leg .
what do you think ?

regards loft

I like where your coming from. That's exactly what my girl said.

If it's really a "self portrait" I should be focused on the figure, with the studio as background.

I'll play with it and see what I do.
To be honest I like the "busy" look so including the studio just may be my prerogative. I'll try one with me in it and then we'll go from there.

Thank for your impute.

[Keith2]

I think there are too many items competing for attention. The diagonal white object at the right side (easel leg) near the top is rather distracting.

The perspective of the table is distorted, in that there isn't much convergence of the left and right sides. This may be your intention, except that the rest of the items in the picture seem to follow the rules of perspective.

Are you sure that you can arrange your mirror to get everything in ? You write that you want to be shown looking at the computer screen, but from my experience of self portraits, the artist needs to look directly at the mirror, unless you are using a second mirror, when you can then appear to be looking at something else.

It might be better to alter the lighting so that it's more dramatic.

All this might sound overcritical but it's not intended that way, the proposed portrait looks interesting in layout and I hope you enjoy painting it.

[sharkbarf]

.

Originally Posted by Keith2

Are you sure that you can arrange your mirror to get everything in ?

No I'm not sure. This is in the preliminary stages. I think a closer view at the figure will be the next thing I try.

You write that you want to be shown looking at the computer screen, but from my experience of self portraits, the artist needs to look directly at the mirror, unless you are using a second mirror, when you can then appear to be looking at something else.

Now I'm thinking I'll have someone take pictures of me painting. That way when I'm copying the pictures from my computer the portrait will make more sense. Were traditional oil painting meets the technological age.

[sharkbarf]

Once again. This time with the figure in.
I like it because the slight angle of the table helps draw the viewer in.

What do you guys think?
I really want to get the comp right before I start my painting.



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[jwcarroll]

I like the last composition a lot more than the first. In the first one it just seemed to high of a viewpoint where as the last one is a bit lower and still draws you into the picture.

[sharkbarf]

Originally Posted by jwcarroll

I like the last composition a lot more than the first. In the first one it just seemed to high of a viewpoint where as the last one is a bit lower and still draws you into the picture.

Thanks. I never though about the vantage point. Good observation.


Everybody
I'm specifically wondering how does your eyes flow through the piece?
Could I do any more modifications to enhance the focal point (the figure)?

[wsrea]

I like the last one better, too. I also like your use of the complementary color scheme to reinforce the composition.

[La_]

norman rockwell version of self portrait

a comp to consider

la

[baughsten]

I like the idea of your painting; seeing the artist in action, and I see a few things that you might consider. To my eye when I squint down on the figure, it almost disappears into the background. I might try to change the values there for greater contrast. Also, the line of table might be turned to direct the viewer's attention directly to the center of interest - you the figure. Another design element that hits me is the splitting the picture right down the middle. Offsetting the background might be interesting to see. Thanks for sharing your work.

[sharkbarf]

Wsrea
Thank you. I'm glad it shows. I'm only using two colors for these studies in hopes to better understand value and balance. Now that it's more balanced I'm ready to go with more color!

La
Thank you. What an amazing painting. I think I have a few more years of hard work before I'm ready to do this sort of multifaceted, fractal realism.

Baughsten

Also, the line of table might be turned to direct the viewer's attention directly to the center of interest - you the figure.

Could you try to elaborate any more? If you look at the other previous studies they are more frontal views. I thought I had the table angle turned.

Another design element that hits me is the splitting the picture right down the middle. Offsetting the background might be interesting to see.

I've thought of this as well. I'm really wanted to show the reality of my studio, not some ideal. Thats why I'm painting the door behind me instead of all white wall. Maybe it would help to just scoot over a bit?