Rembrandt Self-portrait from 1657

Minh Thong · 01-01-2003, 05:45 PM

I've always loved the original, and so I chose it to practice blending backgrounds in chiaroscuro, color harmony and skintones, and painting more thickly. This 'practice piece' came out pretty well so I didn't re-use the canvas. Unfortunately, I don't have access to a good camera. But hopefully there's enough information to solicit suggestions for next time.

It's 24" x 18" Oil on Canvas.

Thanks for any help at all.

Minh Thong

Minh Thong · 01-02-2003, 11:58 AM

A little more detail, from a much better camera.

It's amazing how many large and blatant mistakes I see in it now that it's been done for a week. I'm going to try it again when I start painting again.

Minh

Karin Wells · 01-03-2003, 12:35 AM

Here's a copy of the original. Is yours larger? Smaller?

Since you are having trouble with the camera, how does your painting compare color-wise to the original?

Karin Wells · 01-03-2003, 12:43 AM

And a detail of the original...

Minh Thong · 01-03-2003, 07:09 AM

Wow, the colors in the small original I worked from are very different than the one you posted. I have a scanner at the office so I'll run my reference photo thru and post it. I had no idea there was so much variation in value, and even hue, across different reproductions.

Minh

Minh Thong · 01-03-2003, 10:43 AM

Here is the reference photo, a 5 x 7 page from a book on Mr. Van Rijn. The main reason I did this was to practice blending/chiaroscuro and trying to duplicate the reddish and golden fleshtones in my small reference photo. It looks like my reference has been 'punched up' somehow.

Thanks for your help Karin.

Minh