Self Portrait

David Kassan · 07-17-2007, 12:41 AM

Here is a quick self portrait I finished up in about a week for an exhibition at the the Art Students League here in NYC.

34 by 24 inch, figure is life size. oil on wood panel.

Mischa Milosevic · 07-17-2007, 02:54 AM

David, this is awesome! Excellent brush work in form value representation.

Wish you success and commissions resulting from the exhibit.

Enzie Shahmiri · 07-17-2007, 11:51 AM

Just beautifully handled! David, what made you opt for the lowered gaze instead of the more traditional gaze at the viewer?

Garth Herrick · 07-17-2007, 02:27 PM

David, you're perfect! That's an exact and honest portrait.

It's a wonderful painting; I wonder if you could share something about your approach or technique, or how you lit yourself. Enzie has already asked what it is all about, but I do like the austere composition and quiet somber palette.

Congratulations on your show! When is it open to see?

Garth

Tony Pro · 07-17-2007, 02:56 PM

David
Stunning! Your sense of value control is wonderful!
I wanna see more!
Best
Tony

Chris Saper · 07-17-2007, 03:28 PM

Dear David,

Just beautiful. Your portrait is solid and sensitive, as I find all your work to be. Thanks for sharing.

Carlos Ygoa · 07-17-2007, 03:35 PM

This cannot get more lifelike. The image is there...living, breathing.
Very impressive.

Congratulations.

Alexandra Tyng · 07-17-2007, 04:43 PM

David,

This is my favorte of your work so far. It really is an honest, straightforward portrayal of yourself. It's direct, but also symbolic--of a man, a person, an artist--whatever you see in it. I like it because it is not contrived, and you have pared it down to the essentials. Because it s simple, the minimal color scheme works well. Elegant!

Linda Brandon · 07-17-2007, 08:18 PM

Wow, David - I continue to be amazed by this portrait. I've seen it in person and it just takes my breath away. One of the things that impresses me the most is the control you have over the wide variety of colors on your palette. Furthermore, your drawing skills are enough to make everybody else go home and beat our heads against the wall.

Actually, you are starting to be a little hazardous to my health with all this breathless headbashing.

Congratulations on this powerful painting, David!

Marina Dieul · 07-17-2007, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexandra Tyng

It's direct, but also symbolic--of a man, a person, an artist--whatever you see in it. I like it because it is not contrived, and you have pared it down to the essentials. Because it s simple, the minimal color scheme works well. Elegant!

David,
that's also what I think.( and Alex says it better than I could in english)
I like the quiet and meditative athmosphere which comes from the lowered gaze. I like when I feel the time in a painting, the length of the pose, the length of the act of drawing/painting...
I also love your backgrounds, this one is no exception.
Congratulations on a beautiful portrait!