Thanks!
I guess I think of a painting in two parts, first the concept (the why) and than technique (the how). I guess everyone does that. Anyway,
for the concept.:
Having been able to study Baroque and Rennaissance works for 2 months I was blown away by composition. I try to work that out first, I wanted to split the work in 2 with a strong diagonal- having one full and the other empty. Also searching for a downward gaze and head tilt that suggested another diagonal that is unseen and split the main diagonal in half. So basically an X. I know a lot of thinking for a small painting.
After being very inspired by self portrait paintings by Velasquez(uffizi), Ghirlandaio (s.maria novella, Florence), and Rembrandt. I noticed that they were mostly filled with self confidence staring at the viewer. Having the exactly opposite experience lately with painting. I feel that the more I learn the less self confidence I have. This time is also a crossroad for me. Which is very frustrating and confusing. Mainly get a real job and make money or be a painter (being poor) where only a very small amount of artists succeed. So I really wanted to get that into it. I guess it's painting as shrink.
As for technique: from life (I try to only work from life) 2 mirrors for doing the eyes: one I'm looking down into, in which I can see the other in the mirror which is right next to the canvas on the easel. I don't use mediums, only paint. I love Vasari oil colors(they are like buttah) and only use them except for few impulse buys at New York Central's wall of Williamsburg colors. My colors are a pretty basic flesh palette. zinc-titanium white, Prussian blue, sometimes manganese blue, raw sienna, yellow ochre, brilliant yellow, vermilion, ruby red, aliz crimson, scarlet sienna, burnt sienna, raw umber, burnt umber, and sometimes viridian.
My studies in Italy were amazing experience. I posted a good amount of my sketches and my journal (an entry for day of the trip) on my my site
http://davidkassan.com/italy and
http://dubscience.com/italy Please have a look.
Thanks again,
David