Saturday, June 30, 2012

Mirror Image One 2012

Drawn from mirror and imagination, today.  This is not a "portrait"--more like an impression/instantiation of feelings.

One great thing about self-portraits is that there is no worry about flattery.  Indeed, my self-portraits usually veer in the opposite direction.  This one could be called " Picture of Dorian Gray meets fun-house mirror."

Tombow marker and pan pastel on watercolor paper, 8" x 8".



12 comments:

  1. Your a master of combining strong and subtle lines with amazing effect. I come here often to learn!

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  2. Love it. Nice and easy. I'll be moving back that way soon. You do handle yourself well.

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  3. This is cool Jean. I would have never thought to paint or draw from a mirror image. Although I have traced over my image onto the mirror with a lipstick. ;)

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  4. Thanks, minnemie, Linda and Joni.

    I've changed out the photo of this a few times since I posted it. I keep making changes, taking away lines, adding different lines.

    I started it with a hand-held mirror--not recommended, then found a fixed mirror with better light.

    Joni, I haven't tried that, but now I will. Rxcellent idea.

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  5. Such a beautiful neck. The older I get, the more I appreciate a nice neck.

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  6. Thanks, Margaret. What I admire is skin without sun damage.

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  7. I love self portraits. They are always so intense. Like this one! It's such a great exercise. I've seen those pans of colour, perhaps I'll try them this summer.

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  8. Thanks, Nora. The pans are great for travel.

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  9. It's wonderful to get a glimpse at the artist. You look like a woman of substance, which of course we know you are.

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  10. I'm laughing because I completed a strange commission on a similar subject; to paint portraits of the owners of a house onto their garage door. I tried to make them understand that the photos I was taking of them were what I'd be using. Every wrinkle - every flaw - I exaggerated. They loved the work but vanity was also involved so I did quick fixes (paint the stray hairs out)

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  11. My husband says I am exceptionally unflattering to myself with my self-portraits, so I tried to make this a softer take--but then I forgot myself and started having fun. The next thing I knew, whoops, I did it again.

    Here, the distortions are mainly enlarged features and extra lines. (You would think
    I would be content with the numerous ones I have, but no . . . .)

    Liz, that commission sounds like a cool project. BTW, while lines are beautiful, I'd certainly want the stray hairs removed, too.

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