Self portrait(cold)
 

I just finished this one. I did it to keep my hand warm--I was waiting for a new model to show up. She evidently had cold feet, or is too busy, so I settled for a cheaper model.

Oil on linen, 54 x 46 cms.

Thanks for looking.

Carlos--

This is just terrific! Very fresh and free, but with no sacrifice in the drawing...

Wow, wow, and wow again! Really excellent! It really shows your talent and accomplishment. I am really finding (with what I am doing myself, and from certain posts here that have been done within one or two sessions) that the most powerful and masterful images are those that are done quickly and without the fuss of making a "grand" work.

The standard of people's work here has just zoomed up. As I said to Tom Edgerton, this forum is truly on a par with the best of art societies and clubs. It has a real foundation of energy and interest and everyone pushes everyone else forward. One cannot be lazy, complacent and self-satisfied - how healthy and invigorating!!

Bellissimo Carlos ! My goodness this will be a wonderful marketing piece too !
It has just the right amount of finish, and is also reminiscent of some classical self portrait of studio situations like Goya with the candles on his head or Chardin with his funny hat.
I posted many times here against vignette portraits (a personal thing of mine) and this is the best explanation about giving solidity to a work without completing every inch of the canvas, but just reaching the highest intensity in the head.
Ilaria

Carlos, this is excellent balance of value and edge intensity. Again, your simple pallet proves to be a charm as you put it all together. This is certainly the traditional look a artist in his cold studio. I really like this.

Carlos! I love this! It is such an easy and natural pose, I wouldn't have believed your hands were cold if it were not for the jacket and scarf (and your explanation). The colors and tones work perfectly. It is a masterful piece of work.

By the way, I'd love to know your secret of painting yourself while keeping a pleasant expression on your face!

Carlos,
I am so envious at you, hanging out with Goya, El Greco and Velazquez, It shows in your paintings.

The hand on the hip creates depth, brilliant. I also like how you stopped the painting process at just the right time, the vignette.

What is the wash in, Venetian Red ?

Thanks, everyone for your encouragement. Very much appreciated.

Tom, coming from someone with masterful, solid drawing, your comment means a lot. Thanks.

Thomasin, yes, I agree. The ones where there is this uninterrupted flow of creative "whatever-you-call-it", and the initial idea in the head translates itself onto the canvas without adulteration (like in one

Alex--thanks for looking and commenting. The harder part was putting on and removing my eyeglasses the whole time. This was 3 sessions in all, about a total of 4.5 to 5 hours.

Allan-- too generous, as usual. The other three don

Congrats, that's masterfully done.

Carlos,

This is terrific. To echo what Ilaria said, it doesn't seem to me to be a vignette - the drawing is so solid, so sure. The fact that it is "unfinished" in some areas only serves to convey an artist who is supremely confident in their abundant skills and in total control, directing the viewer's eyes around the piece to the areas he wants to take us. The painting is finished in every sense of the word - and it's beautiful.

David

Carlos, everything about this painting is exactly right - the right amount of finish, the combination of line and massing, the earthy tones, the painterly energy and the careful accuracy in your face - I'm very impressed. I wish I had painted this.

Claudemir, thanks very much!
David, what a nice comment!--thanks--I did not really think about how the viewers

Dear Carlos,

I was taken with this image when I first saw it - and thought I'd already responded...:) I think your self-portrait is beautiful and engaging. It makes me want to meet the artist who painted it, which I think should be the goal of every self-portrait.

Hi Carlos
It has been a while since I last popped in here, the first painting I come across is yours. Your work instantly gave me a tingle of inspiration to recapture the dream. Thank you for showing your free flowing creative juices in such an inspiration manner. Great Stuff!

Chris-- thank you very much for your nice words. Few things are as telling as a self portrait, I believe. Like a diary, in a way.

Ngaire-- nice to see you back. Thank you also for taking the time to look at this work. I

Hello Carlos. I like your pose and the vignette. I have trouble with tasteful vignettes. Also, good tactile feel to your leather jacket. Thick and dimensional. Your personality shines through as intense and passionate. You are clearly a direct painter comfortable painting from life. I assume you have visited Museo Sorolla?

Chris Kolupski

Happy new year to all!
 

Chris,

Thanks for viewing and commenting.
The Museo Sorolla is one of Madrid

My goodness, what a terrific painting! And to think it was somewhat spontaneous and quick in its creation.

I've been reading a bit about the creative process (in the book "Blink", among others) and there seems to be something valuable in a spontaneous, rapid process, but only once the creator has achieved an "expert" level of skill first -- which you clearly have!