Self Portrait

I'm quite interested in self portraits and have attempted one or two in the past. So far they have reflected me in a rather dour (or sour) mood and this one is similar - perhaps showing the strain of my recent travails. 

My setup - the guide photo on the ipad

The initial drawing - not too detailed

The initial washes together with the basic features

Self Portrait - 16" x 12" Waterford High White 140lb (300gsm) not

I used a Pentel mechanical pencil 2B 07 - back to my bad old ways! As usual I had to make a number of corrections with the eraser coming into play but I was fairly happy with the final result even if the likeness isn't perfect. The flesh colours were a combination of Cadmium Red Pale with a little Raw Sienna, Cerulean Blue to darken and for the cool areas. The hat is mainly Cerulean with some Ultramarine Blue. A little red for the badge - not sure which one either Quin Coral or Quin Rose.

Only three brushes all Isabey Kolinsky sables, including the small retractables for the detail. 

Self-Portrait

This is another attempt at a self-portrait. My wife doesn't like it so I'm posting it with some trepidation. On the other hand I'm a believer in `warts and all' paintings. The fact that I rather look as if I've swallowed a lemon is irrelevant and the bloom of my youth is long departed. Well I don't feel that old so...!

`Self-Portrait' 16" x 12" Waterford 140lb (300gsm) not

I began with as careful a drawing as possible, although not over detailed, using a Pentel 05 mechanical pencil with a 2B lead. My skin mix was based on the Charles Reid one of Cadmium Red, in my case Rowney Cadmium Red Pale, together with smaller amounts of either Yellow Ochre (Graham PY42) or Raw Sienna. Yellow Ochre gives a slightly darker mix. They are mixed in the palette and I brush out some Cerulean and/or Cobalt Blue Deep (Rowney PB72) in a separate well'. Sometimes I add the colours together in the palette or mix on the paper. The blues are used to darken the mix for the shadow areas. I start with the features, eyes first, then down to the nose and lips. After that I extend the wash to the other areas and make sure I don't have a definite edge where the brow meets the cap under the brim. For the features I tend to use the Isabey Retractable Size 6 Series 6201 Kolinsky which is small for a size 6 but long and slim. For the remainder I use the Isabey 6228 Kolinsky sizes 4, 6 and 8 and also the Da Vinci Artissimo 44 Size 2 mop for  areas like the cap. When the initial washes are dry, and consequently much lighter, I go back in with the darker mix for the shadow areas with special emphasis around the eye sockets, making sure not to leave too many hard edges. I try not to mess around with it too much but often stray over the line. Although my system is based on the Charles Reid way I'm also impressed by several other superb artists whose portrait paintings I have come to know like Fealing Lin, Cao Bei An, Bev Jozwiak, Paul Lovering, Stan Miller and there are more. 

MERRY XMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE

 Avon Valley Artists enjoying festive cheer at our last meeting in 2011. I'm the one behind the camera. We had a slight problem as it was found the oven in the kitchen was faulty - it didn't work so much of the food couldn't be heated up. Although not all are shown in the photos 20 members were present  - a good turnout.

From left to right, Sue, Pauline and Yvonne. Sue as well as being a member of the AVA runs Timsbury Art Group. Pauline also belongs to Whitchurch Art Group.

Father & Son 18" x 12" Fabriano Artistico 140lb (300gm) Extra White Not

I painted this at home this week. This is my second attempt, I scrapped the first one. I'm still not fully satisfied by any means as I'm  not quite getting the effect I want. I wanted a lighter effect, possibly the darks are overdone especially on the left hand bull. Too dark, too pale? It can be difficult to get the right balance. 

 After the initial drawing colours used were Quinacridone Gold (Daniel Smith PO49), Quinacridone Rust (Graham PO48), Cerulean Blue, the darks various mixes of Ultramarine Blue  and Burnt Umber, others were Raw Umber and Cadmium Red. A little white gouache at the very end when all was thoroughly dry. Isabey brushes the largest a No8..

Preliminary drawing for a self-portrait 16" x 12" Waterford 140lb (300gm) Not . I drew this a week ago and have still to set about painting it. I promise to post the result (well maybe) when completed.