Portrait of Carl, by Carl
 

I mentioned on another thread that I was in the process of a self portrait. This is it, and finally finished as well.

While I'm a seasoned professional, I haven't pursued portraiture professionally, so I'm posting this here. I hope it is the right spot.

The size is postage stamp size for me, and so more difficult as I

Carl,

This is a beautiful portrait, wonderful color, and what a terrific challenge!

Your lighting scheme sounds complex, but it has yielded a portrait that is not only finely executed, but is interesting,as well. No small feat.

Congratulations!

This is gorgeous, Carl!

Bravo Carl! Beautifully done, no throw away piece here.

Hey, I know this guy!

Hi Carl,

I'm impressed, beautiful job. Can you post any details? I keep coming back to look at your eyes.

Jean

WOW!
 

:sunnysmil NICE:sunnysmil

Gorgeous !
 

Hi Carl,

I think you should pursue portraiture professionally - this is an exquisite portrayal. I am so intrigued by the use of light, from the subtle shadows of hair on the forehead to the translucence of the ears. I've looked at it several times today!

Pat Joyce

Quite riveting and dramatic, Carl. What a terrific job!

Good luck getting a critique on this one. There's not much room for improvement. This is excellent.

Did you take any pictures of the work in progress? I'd like to see them.

You didn't mention medium. Looks like oil.

This is fantastic!

Wow you guys are exceedingly kind and positive, thank you very much everyone!!!

It is oil paint done in layers. The first layers were frighteningly ugly and not something anyone should be subject to. They could put a client into crocodile tears.

However I am used to having to push, pull and adjust (plus no measuring tools in the mirror), so I was not all that frightened (well at least most of the time I wasn't), knowing I'd manage something OK and reasonably credible in the end. I just never have been one to dash off something good right off.

My better results usually come more from mule headed perseverance than anything. Occasionally the opposite is true, but not very often.

I have to thank Bill Whitaker for his constant reminders about the positives of painting from life.

I have to thank Marvin also, who has to look at that ugly mug every Friday for awhile (I'm not sure if his "I know that guy" was a greeting or a complaint :D ). Marvin had a few very good tweaking suggestions for me week before last as I dragged it over to him when this was nearly finished. They were helpful in removing some of the nuances that I'd put in the way of getting as strong a feeling of form as was possible.

The light coming through the ears, and the shadows from the hair were some real perks of the odd lighting setup, the lighting wasn't all bad by any means, but I did find it tough.

Anyway, again, I surely do appreciate all your positive responses. :sunnysmil

This is a wonderful painting, Carl! A real keeper. You've caught your own intensity with style and flair.

Just beautifully executed! Congratulations.

Holy Moly Chino, I can't believe I am just now seeing this! :thumbsup:

Wonderful, fantastic, stupendous! I can see this on a 30 sheet or a painted bulletin!

As long as you keep looking like this I will no longer bug you about the helmet, but I am glad you took the miner's hat off for the final rendering!

:cool: Beloved Bessie

Beloved Bessie,

I still have the magnifying glass you snuck onto my setup in Scottsdale, taped to my easel. I guess it brings me good luck eh? :D

Wow Carl!

I don't know how I missed this, but it sure is beautiful! I now have some new eye candy to study on my desktop. Looking forward to seeing more of your work.

Beautiful
 

Carl,

Your portrait has energy! Not a bad thing!

I love this and love the coloring and your gaze. Paint some more!

Denise (MM student)

Marta & Denise :) :sunnysmil :) Thanks.

Really fine, Carl!

I have to agree with the light through the ears thing. It's one of my favorite things to paint.

Best--TE

Yes Tom, it was surprising to me how cool two tiny integrated spots of color/light can be to play with, and how much they can add compared to their size :)

You've all been very kind with your responses to my little painting. Thank you all.

Carl
 

This is very nice Carl. I don't know how I missed it till now. (I look for the green lights). It is original which is a very welcome thing.

MESMERIZING
 

Carl,

This is so beautiful, I can't take my eyes off if it. That mesmerizing effect is what makes great art great.

Thank you for the inspiration.

Nice tightrope walk between identifying EVERY color present without the whole dissolving into too many values and too much "dazzle"...the light is still very unified. Tough to do.