I added my self portrait to the sidebar. Since one of my goals is to learn to draw better I thought I would start the year out with a self portrait. I want to also do more "finished" drawings than I usually do. This is more finished than usual but I think I would still consider it just a sketch.
Even though I look at myself in the mirror each morning, it was hard to look in the mirror to draw myself. I was afraid of what I would find out about myself. Doing a self portrait is a very revealing exercise for an artist. In a self portrait you are showing to the world who you think you are and how you see yourself, and I think even more scary you are revealing this to yourself.
For everyone's information and in a spirit of full disclosure, I seem to think of myself as a bit younger and thinner than reality. I was really surprised by this. I was truly trying to get an actual, realistic likeness with no face lift involved. I am happy with how the sketch came out because often in the past I have had a very negative self image. I found that I am happy with myself and where I am at in my life at this time. I can see in the drawing the improvement of my skills not only in the drawing itself but also in the expression my face.
I would be interested in hearing about others experiences with self portraits and what you might have learned about yourself- please leave a comment.
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2 comments:
how come your self portrait isn't happy? you look so sad, Mom. I love you! the portrait looks great, you did a really good job.
~Heather
I just found this blog...wow you haven't blogged since 2008. I found your writing very interesting and I think you should do another self portrait and compare how you've grown.
I think I will do a self portrait as well ... it's been a while.
We do not see ourselves as others see ... good or bad ... images a very subjective thing.
So write some more...draw some more.... please?
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