Tag self-portrait

Another Self-portrait

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Pastel on Pastelmat, 12x12ins.

This was from a screenshot I took of myself, while waiting during a video call. I liked the colors, and the different-than-usual head position.

The original photo
Composition ideas explored. I decided I liked the top right one best.

My pastel palette selected
Initial block-in, washed with rubbing alcohol; also showing my skin tone square and other necessary colors.
First layers. I worked over these, redefining, shaping and altering colors and values, until I reached the finished painting at the top of this post. Fun!

Arts Illiana ‘Masks’ Exhibition

mayhewjnm 2 Comments

I was happy to have two paintings accepted for the current ‘Masks’ Exhibition at the Arts Illiana Gallery, Terre Haute, March 5-May 21, 2021. The first one I painted is a self-portrait, although I am so masked that it could not truly be called a portrait!

We flew to Albany, NY twice in Dec 2020, first to visit a sick relative and then to attend her funeral. I wanted to have a rest on the flight, so I put on my eye mask, and then thought this was peculiar–my face was now totally covered! With some experimentation I was able to take some selfies with my phone and painted from these after we returned home.

Flying 2020, 8 x 10 ins, Oil on canvas panel