Monday, July 27, 2009

EDM #56 - Draw a self portrait

The exercises we have been doing in my drawing class have been fun and challenging. The most challenging of all was the self-portrait we were assigned. I don't think I've done a live self-portrait since I was in high school. In order to "warm up" I first used a photo of myself in order to familiarize myself with my face from an objective perspective. Then, once I felt I could draw my own features I set up the mirror and drew myself. Well...wasn't that fun!! NO. I must have erased 20 times and then when I thought I was done I asked my daughter (a talented artist in her own rite, and my most honest art critic) what she thought. She looked at it and made one statement. It's interesting how you see yourself. WHAT??!?

I didn't ask her what she meant, right away. I thought about it for a couple of days while I studied my work. A few days later I asked her what she meant. She answered saying, "Well, when you look at your drawing it's obvious you see all the wrinkles in your face that are really not evident when someone looks at you." Interesting. For the next few days, I kept checking myself out in every mirror I passed. She was right, I don't really have a lot of wrinkles for my age, but in the drawing they, sure as heck, are right there...every last one of them.

So, after working on my psychological hang-ups, I've decided to post my self-portrait after all and link it to the Everyday Matters Groups as my re-introduction to the group. Here I am, wrinkles and all...

...looking at it here...I also notice I made my face wider than it actually is...oh well.

7 comments:

Alex said...

I think it's a pretty portrait ^^ with or without wrinkles, wider or narrower face, as long as the expression is there, the most important ingredient is already in. ^^

kazumiwannabe said...

We're always our worst critics : )! Beautiful portrait, anyway, very expressive, and you look very nice!

nanke's stuff said...

I think self portraits are among the most difficult of all drawings to do. What I have to say about this one is, "Well done"!

Anonymous said...

Self portrait are fun to make and fun to make regularly. And it is an easy way to get a model.
A friend painter seeing my attempts suggested that I try from memory, so to be more relax. And now I do both, mirror or memory.
Your's is very good, as Alex said it, the expression is there.

Anonymous said...

This is terrific...your portrait, your story, and the comments you've inspired. Looking forward to another.

seesue said...

Excellent! It's difficult to get a relaxed look from a mirror though isn't it? Perhaps that will explain the wrinkles. I really notice my FURRoWs unless I'm smiling.

Florence's Art said...

Great portrait. Your painting of downtown at Sam's made me homesick. I am originally from a farm community outside of Barrie, Ontario. As long a I can remember going to Toronto there was the Sam's store with the double records. If you had to meet someone you just said meet at Sam's because everyone knew where that was. I'm happy to see it is still there and hasn't changed. Your painting of it is fabulous (enough to make me long for home)