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.