A Finished Self-portrait

I scanned this one in sections, then joined them with success, so the colors are a fairly close representation of the original. (Wish I had a bigger scanner—and printer.)

I have an idea of what I want to paint next, and it’s a rather intense piece. Unfortunately, I’ve fallen behind on a few things, one of which is my querying, (not to mention all the other blogs I’ve been neglecting). So, I’ll take a brief reprieve, clean my house, catch up on some mundane stuff, do some reading, and get back at it…
…hmmm…a nautical scene, perhaps?

The Snapshot

I worked on the face a little more (okay, overworked, as usual), but I think it has a little better depth. It probably doesn’t look like much progress, so to make your visit worth your while, I’m also posting the photo I’m working from.

(Okay, I admit it—it’s a self-portrait, at my husband’s request.)

My camera and graphics program render the hues a bit more saturated and overall lighter than the actual work in progress, but they provide the general idea.

...and I'm not too crazy about the floating image. I guess I like props for a painting, but I think black works well for a photographic image. Oh well, too late now...

Put the razor down and back away from the painting...

I quit where I did today, because I started getting that feeling like I want to hack it to tiny irretrievable bits. The eyes and nose and mouth are throwing me a fit, and I don’t even want to talk about the stupid sweater and jeans. So far, the only part I like are the hands…time for a break…
...don't worry, I will finish it...

A Bit More

Now comes the really labor intensive part...along with the precarious face. Maybe I'll add some background color; think I'll go with paynes grey, instead of black. (It should diminish the butt size, visually.)

Progress

Now, I'll start adding a lot more detail.

The subject might like it if I trimmed down her derrière, but I'm not going to. I'd indulge vanity if I were being paid, but otherwise, I like to paint exactly what I see...

The Wash

Okay...that wasn't so scary...

 And I think this one should be a little easier than the last portrait because the face won’t have as drastic shading.

In case you’re wondering, the background will be all black…(and I really hate that this won't fit on my scanner; my lighting is going to be all over the place on these posts...Oh well...)

Sitting

Okay, here goes with that queasy feeling again...

I’m venturing another portrait. At 10”x 13”, this is a little larger than my usual, but I have to admit that the increased head size makes it somewhat easier to execute facial features. I considered doing just a head and shoulder view, but I do so enjoy painting body parts, especially hands, which you may have noticed are particularly prominent here.

I chose this pose for its contrasting angles and overall composition. I don't have a title for it yet, so I'll just call it Sitting (pathetic that a writer doesn't come up with a more imaginative name).

Not much to look at, I know—and it's too big for my scanner, so there is some distortion.

Well, the pressure is on—wet the paints and go…