Self

Alexandra Tyng · 09-19-2005, 09:10 AM

It's great, Dave! Very compelling. That little bit of imperfection makes it even more interesting.

Alex

Dave McKnight · 09-19-2005, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexandra Tyng

It's great, Dave! Very compelling. That little bit of imperfection makes it even more interesting.

Alex

Thanks Alexandra. You're comments are very much appreciated. Regarding that imperfection, do you really think it is made more interesting? If so, why? It is somethign that bothers me so I will come back to fix it....at the risk of making it less interesting :-)

Alexandra Tyng · 09-19-2005, 08:48 PM

Dave,

I'm editing my post because I don't think it came across the way I meant it. Yes, I really like the imperfections, I think for the same reason that Chris said so articulately below me.(Puts my verbal ramblings to shame, Chris!) But on the other hand, it is your work of art, and you've got to make the decisions on what to do with it and how far you want to take it, so don't let my opinion, or the opinions of anyone else, sway you from doing what you feel is right for you.

It's a vibrant, exciting self-portrait.

Chris Saper · 09-19-2005, 10:17 PM

I think your portrait is honest, fresh, and very powerful. Often I think that's what characterizes work from life. There might be some sacrifice of likeness precision, but it's more than offset with the freshness. As a piece of art, I really love it the way it is.

I don't think anyone who hasn't had the experience can appreciate how difficult it is to do a self portrait from life. It's VERY hard. This has nothing at all to do with client commissioned portraits nor, IMO, should it.

As I see this work, I don't think that I could offer a critique in the way I might for a commission work.You have really stretched, Dave. Fine work.

Michele Rushworth · 09-19-2005, 10:38 PM

I might suggest that you make some changes to the eyes, as you mentioned, but otherwise this is a bold, compelling and very well done painting!

Marcus Lim · 09-19-2005, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Saper

I think your portrait is honest, fresh, and very powerful. Often I think that's what characterizes work from life. There might be some sacrifice of likeness precision, but it's more than offset with the freshness.

I go with Chris. When i look at it, not only am i capture by the "fiery colors", but it's expression tells me to not look away from you and pay attention. In deeper sense i feel like i'm waiting for me to tell you what you're struggling to say to me, deep inside you.
A most poetic piece, resonating to what i aspire myself in my works.

Garth Herrick · 09-19-2005, 11:07 PM

Dave, this is such a compelling portrait. I love your gripping gaze, and fiery, no nonsense palette. I agree with all the accoloades above, which you much deserve! I like the irregularity too. Great Painting!

Garth

Terri Ficenec · 09-19-2005, 11:51 PM

Hi Dave--
On the eyes, they're probably worth changing if they're not like your own. . . but otherwise

Vibrant, solid and well done!

Dave McKnight · 09-20-2005, 01:45 PM

Wow! I was very surprised to see all these replies when I looked at this thread this morning. I woke up feeling kind of cranky but all these encouraging responses have made my day...and I will try to ruminate on them as long as I can.

Alexandra - I still think that flaws are flaws particularly if they're unintentional. I doubt there is anyone that can paint without any flaws (although some of the stuff I've seen here comes pretty darn close)- the severity of the flaw is what matters, I suppose. In this case, the flaws are nasty enough to warrant fixing. I think the opinions of others should sway me to at least see problems where I don't. There is lot of stuff I've done in the past that my own eyes were incapable of objectively critiquing. With fresh eyes, I look back now in shock at the problems I didn't see then.

Chris - I'm delighted that you like and appreciate what I've done here! I agree the process of doing a self-portrait from life is VERY hard. I've done several but I think this may be the most difficult for me due to the masochistic approach I have taken. First, I arranged my lighting environment to be quite unstable - where every slight tilt of my head would alter values and colours fairly significantly. Second, I did this life size using a mirror that sits next to my canvas on my easel. In hindsight, I should have sat as far back from the easel as I could have but what I ended up doing was moving my head back and forth between mirror and canvas, either painting the memory of what I last saw or painting the image I see on a canvas that is off to my left.

Michele - Thanks!

Marcus - I'm honored by what you've said and how you expressed it!

Garth - I've been admiring the quality of your portraits quite a bit on this forum so your words mean a great deal to me - thanks!

Terri - Thank you!

Lisa - Thanks a lot. I'll try to get a close up later on since the digital image doesn't show the texture, particularly for the lighter areas.