Value Study

Self Portrait #3, 8 x 6

Here's the value study. Being able to focus just on lights and darks and putting them where they belong made a big difference. It was completed within the ninety-minute time frame, and the likeness is easily the most accurate of the three, though the brush strokes feel loose and free.

This process was really helpful for me. The best thing is, the series is done and I don't have to stare at myself for hours, anymore!

Another Self-Portrait Exercise

Self Portrait #2, 8 x 6

Here's another stab at the exercise I did for my last post. Considerably less than perfect, these two portrait studies have brought home to me a couple things. One, resist the urge to go to a smaller brush — even in most detail areas, like the eyes— than you would use for the rest of the painting. Two, getting an accurate value study in a portrait is more than enough to keep me occupied for ninety minutes. In fact, today's exercise actually took a little over two hours. The extra time was spent trying to fix problems I created with that little #2 brush(!).

So, because these last two studies both have areas where the values and/or placement are off, my next "ninety-minute" exercise will be done in one color only.

PLEASE, GOD, let ninety minutes be long enough!

Self Portrait

Self Portrait, 8 x 6

Hello, again. Wow, posting two days in a row! I have to say I'm glad Christmas is over, so I can get back to painting. Today's exercise was lots of fun for me. I had finished the architectural subject from yesterday's post and was noticing how clean and squared off everything looks. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but I seem to tend toward the precise, especially when working on architectural subjects, in the studio.

So, today I decided to get a mirror and do a timed study of my very own (aging!) face. It was fun not worrying about flesh tones, much less photographic precision. I didn't even "draw" an underpainting, instead starting in with the main skin color and building "planes of color," which is something Cezanne was known for. I really want to start doing this at least a couple times a week, as I think I benefit greatly from letting down my guard, so to speak. If you have an opinion on this, either way, I'd love to hear it.

Happy painting.