Self Portrait Photo
 

Painting myself is a daunting task that needs doing for our new home. It is to balance with the portrait I did of Roland W. Jackson, my husband, which measures 48" x 36". The attached photo was taken professionally as I am an unwilling model. Any advise on what to watch out for here would be much appreciated.

Looks nice to me. Do you have enough detail for the face and hands? (I'm not sure how sharp or large the original is.)

Have fun painting it!

Hi Jeanine,

I just finished a self portrait, which I found to be a surprisingly stressful experience, so I am with you on this one.

I think all women artists should paint themselves as knockouts, just as a matter of general principle.

This is a beautiful photo so I just have a few quick suggestions. You are photographed at an angle which shortens your neck, so play around a little here by either giving yourself a few extra vertebrae and/or changing the angle or reducing the size of your trapezius.

Old Holland makes a beautiful pink ("Brilliant Rose", I think) that would work well for this dress.

Thank you!
 

Thank you, ladies!

The resolution is 72dpi which doesn't help with subtle detail. It will be a case of "paint what I know" vs paint what we see.

I would have preferred a more direct view or a pedestal approach, however the suggestions above regarding the neck are helpful. I'll look for that Old Holland color soon.

Happy Holidays!
Jeanine

Jeannine,

This is a gorgeous photo,(gorgeous model!)

I agree with Linda completely, I would definitely modify the trapezius.

As to her statement: , this is not just principle, it's a law.

I find self-portraits the easiest in a way - no one knows your own face better, and the painter is free to take whatever liberties he or she desires.

Jeanine,

Love the photo, and the pink is very nice. I wonder about the angle too, but I was looking a bit lower. At this angle, with a raised far thigh, the reference gives the impression that your lap is a bit wider than I think it probably is.

Good luck and please post this painting.

Best
Lisa

Thanks!
 

Thank you Chris and Lisa! I will start this painting next. It is very difficult for me to paint this unwilling subject. Your comments help enourmously! I will definitely trim away.