Self-portrait

[Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco]

Marina, I absolutely second Alex's advice.
In this work you have solved the problems we have pointed out, but I have a strong sensation that you are ready to take the leap and start buttering your canvas in paint, now that you have showed to yourself and to all of us how solid is your drawing background.

If you have a chance to add to your gift list I would recommend the new book on Sorolla, a luscious paint handler.
Indicating form with only a stroke of the brush is the ultimate experience for a painter!
Well done for this work anyway, I think I'll chuck mine and start again, I became really depressed about its potential and I want to try a very limited earth palette!
Ilaria

[Mischa Milosevic]

Hi Marina, I have been quite busy lately and on rare occasions just glanced at what is up on the forum.

Your self portrait is looking real good. As I was scanning the different comments and suggestions, all good, a thought came to mind and I thought to share this with you. This is what I thought and what I would do my self.
Set this painting aside. Pick another canvas, preferably with finer weave, smoother, and start another self portrait. Draw it out and lay in the dead coloring and do not move to detail until the shapes of the dead color are perfect. Make sure that your individual shapes and dead color area is smooth, unified, even and no lumps ripples. When you have this stage perfect then and only then start to create form by adding half tones first to big shapes. Remember the edges of each shape in dead color stage are to touch and should not be sharp rather blurred but not blended, at least in this initial stage. Remember each stage should be perfectly executed before moving on from one to the other. If you decide to try this method you will reach your goal faster and the results will be amassing.

Wish you the best,
mischa

[Mary Jane Ansell]

Great to see this version. The gaze has lost that slighty glassy look and you seem to softened the mouth and the neck so it's all gelling more harmoniously.

I'll third Alex's comments - if I may do such a thing! I think it's time to say very well done on this and onwards and upwards to the next.

I'm really impressed that this is only your second self portrait attempt by the way... I have many, many unfinished self portraits (thankfully for others they will stay turned to the wall;-) so I do sympathise with IIaria here but for all their pains I dare say there is litle that compares as a marker of your improvements.

You have inspired me! I must start another soon!!!