Self-Portrait
 

Hello everyone,

I realize this is a very rough portrait I did of myself, but I created it in one sitting and had no intentions of it becoming a polished piece. So, I ask for your critisms, advice, or anything else that you may wish to tell me.

I hope that you will be honest because I am interested in becoming a better painter and love when people tell me what I need to work on, so be brutal with your comments.

Sorry Joseph, but I can't find anything "brutal" to say about this piece. I'm impressed with your obvious talent and skill. You seem to have a real feeling for paint.

I can't wait to see more of your work...maybe I'll even be able to spot a flaw someday :D

Joseph.... you will have to get your technical criticism from others. I am no good at it. I love your painting. This is a painting I wish I had the courage to do. You have real talent don't be diverted into accounting.

I LOVE THIS!!! Not brutal, but so true!! Comments if developing further would be to introduce color. This is so strong, the monochromatic tones seem unnaturally subdued.

Shadow on sitters right cheek appears to drop off very rapidly which may be an actual asymetrical charateristic of your face?

I prefer more air around heads, but this gives a strong contemporary feeling, as if the subject is about to break loose from his box.

WOW!

It is bold and fresh. I like the freedom of expression. It is rare to see an impressionist portrait artist. You are a good one. The likeness is there, and the colors are pleasing. What more could you ask for? You are a natural. Impressionism is something that most portrait artists do not allow themselves. I envy things I cannot do. I wish I could have the freedom to paint like that. It just isn't in me. Good job.

No "technical criticism" is warranted. You're either a natural or have had some good training already, which is going to put you in great stead as you begin your studies in Columbus. Your command of drawing and paint, at "your age" (says this elder fellow), is enviable. I especially note your sensitivity to the presence of both warm and cool colour in the flesh tones, something that many painters don't "see" for a very long time. You use lots of paint, and you're obviously able to put it down on the canvas and then leave it alone, a talent I'm still trying to develop. Looks like you've got quite a career ahead of you. If you don't find what you're looking for in Columbus, keep looking.

Best wishes,

Steven

WOW! :thumbsup:

As a favorite teacher would say, "juicy"! I just reread David Leffel's "Oil Painting Secrets from a Master". Your style reminds me of his work, you may want to check it out to fine tune an already incredible piece.

The only thing I would look again at would be your eyes. A little more clarity on the light area side perhaps. Also, watch for the tendency to make them too 'pointy' at the edges, or almondy.

Truly, a great painting. Congratulations.

To Self Portrait
 

Joseph, I am not good at technical comments but I certainly agree about your talent and style. I too admire someone who can put paint down and leave it with confidence. I am still trying to loosen up a bit but find myself a blender all the way. Keep up the good work and good luck to you. Hope to see more of your work.

Style
 

I want to thank all of you for your wonderful comments. Actually, I don't ussually paint in this manner. One night I just started a series of quick loose portraits. I usually paint more like the piece that I will be posting shortly. I really shouldn't have used the word "usually", since I haven't been painting very long. All of you seem to "like" this loose style. I am wondering if you will still prefer it after I post my tighter style. If you prefer the loose style I will seriously take it into consideration. I look foward to reading your comments.

No, Joseph, if YOU prefer that style, then take it into consideration. While most commercial portraiture probably is executed in a "tighter" style, not all is, and you could wind up being the one they come to for something a little different. I think what we were appreciating was the way you obviously were able to side step a lot of the usual impediments of fussing and fiddling and second-guessing yourself, and just be right there in the moment of artistic creation. That same pleasure can come with work in any of the various media and methodologies.

Best of luck,
Steven

This is great, Joseph. I remember seeing a portrait similar to this style in an old issue of the Artist Magazine. I will try to find it and post it here. I have a tendency to work too tight. To remedy that, I will do a quick loose portrait on drawing paper, feel the relief, then throw it away. It may be to your advantage to do both. Keep it up.

Mark Gil

Correct
 

Mark, this was my intention when creating this. I had become frustrated by the expectations I had for other paintings and decided to let loose. What relief. Now I agree with that part, but I'm not sure I want to throw it away quite yet.

NO! Don't throw away your painting. It's a keeper! I throw away my "exercise to loosen up" not a painting. "You can do both..." I meant that by working impressionistic and tight, you will always have that balance needed to keep from getting frustrated. Keep it up.

If you stand back about 10 feet from the computer screen everything comes together to make a solid image, I like your technique, lots of talent here. :thumbsup:

Hah!
 

I often say in jest to my customers, "When you look at my work, you have to close one eye and squint the other, because that's how I did when I drew it!"