Self portrait -with a wink at Norman Rockwell
 

Chris-

Here is the posting and close ups I promised. I was surprised at the wonderful responses I received on the "new members" list.

First, I share this with eveyone because I have gained so much in the 2 months visiting and I hope you gain something from my attempts.

A little background. In the past 30 years I have only painted for fun and my total output I could count on my figures and toes,and have a few digits left over. So I am a beginner at this.

If you are familiar with the movie "Music Man" remember his method of teaching the kids to play their instruments? The "think method." Well, that's what I have been doing for about 25 years. I'm a art magazine addict.

Back to the painting. This was a first attempt to develop a composition and not just accept something in a photograph. It is 40" x 53" on (gulp) 1/4"masonite.

I'll never do that again! I use an Olympus E-20N Digital camera. It has a little remote control button I used to snap the shutter. I would snap a picture, get up, look at the composition in the view finder, check lighting, make an adjustment to a prop, then sit down and snap another. This went on for about 100 pictures. I kept making smaller and smaller adjustments so that most everything in the background plays a part in my composition. (Another tip from Norman.)

More detail
 

This is also a small family portrait. (Except my wife is missing). Those are my two kids when they were little. and my again, all grown up at 18, is the main painting. My mother is the tracing on the right. Even Norman makes an appearance in the bottom left corner.

Peter,
Let me be the first to say how charming I find this portrait. Love the natural/relaxed look and the overall composition. There is such a sense of amusement in your over-the-shoulder glance. Nice sense of light and I like the 'fade out' sort of effect where you've got the more intense color grouped near the center of interest.

Charming all the way around! Kudos!

more detail and closeups
 

I call this painting "Cellar Dwellar". The lighting was an interesting combination of overhead fluorescents and a small southern cellar window. And yes, I do paint in my bare feet.

even more detail
 

Some of these photos I tried using the enhance feature on my photo editor. I'm still experimenting, so please forgive the inconsistency.

face close up
 

I'm almost finished.

last one I promise
 

I really paint over and over and over, until I'm pleased with the result. I can't wait to learn how to do this in a more painterly method.( and from a live model)

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Peter, you have a lot going for you. I love the tongue in cheek tone of this whole painting! Your years of reading (thinking) are blooming.

Jean

Terri-
Thanks for being he first to jump in. You have hit on a lot of the elements I tried to present. What a great feeling when someone like you notices and comments. Rockwell always went over the top with his expressions, I'm afraid I am not that bold.

Mark-

Thanks again. Did Rembrandt where shoes? How do you keep your feet warm over there?

Jean-
Thank you, Jean. I'm afraid I'm developing a new addiction for this forum.

Oh, Peter! If I had been the judge of a self-portrait contest I would have voted for yours. My attention just zooms in on you. And there's warmth, humor, and an upbeat feeling. Plus, I love how you made those diagonals in the composition pointing towards the canvas, which is not right in the middle, but slightly to the side. And I also like how you included additional "information" in the portrait so the viewer can have an "I Spy" treasure hunt to discover more about you. But I can also just look and appreciate the painterly way you mastered all the details. Just the supply cart alone would make a fascinating still life. Thanks for posting the closeups.

Alex

Hi there neighbor! (Well, people tell me that it isn't too far from here to there.)

Great self portrait, I love all the character that you brought to it. While it is certainly a nod to Norman, it's not a rip off and it's completely personal. Wonderful style and ability to boot!

:thumbsup:

Alex,

You have made my day. Thank you. I have been having one of those, I don't know if I can do this... days. A couple of paintings not working out. I am sure you know the feeling. Then comes your response and kind words and boom...I've got a full tank again.

One more "I Spy" treasure . The landscape leaning sideways in the back of the painting is a picture from Nova Scotia, "God's gift to landscape painters". If you ever get the chance. spend some time there. The color will knock your socks off.

Hi Lacey!

You are just around the corner, or fence post, or something. I used to drive to KC a lot in the last 5 years when I was in the engineering field. (Up until 3 months ago). KC has a great art community and is home to one of my favorite artists, Dean Mitchell.

I love you website and work. A lot of depth in your work.

Oh wow - I love this.

First of all it is painted with such skill - but mostly its the sense of humor it portrays. So many things to look and and find like Alex said. Im going to echo her again about the supply cart - the top shelf of that with the palette and all may be my favorite part actually!

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Nice job, Peter! I would have to say all those years of studying the art magazines have taught you a lot. I particularly like the idea you had of setting up the studio with paintings of your family members so that this becomes, as you say, a family portrait of sorts. Nice color, nice light. I look forward to seeing more of your work.

Kim-
Thank you so much. Painting the palette was the most fun. How do you paint the color of paint?

I squeezed the paint staight out of he tube onto the painting. the fun was was the brush work to make it look like the mess my pallette usually looks like.

Mark-

I am proud to carry on the tradition. I didn't know that bit about the Mona Lisa. You must have a few art history books I haven't seen yet. Is that a part of British art training?

Michele,
Thank you. You have made my day. This forum is now my latest addiction, though I admit to still secretly sneeking off to the bookstore to get a hit from paging through the art magazines.

Let me also compliment you on that stunning portrait of the Governor. There is so much warmth inthat smile. Beautiful work!

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