Another quick self-portrait, on wood panel. Sketch in graphite and background painted on Day One. Portrait painted on Day Two. Total painting time five or six hours.
I’ve been watching Sky Art’s “Portrait Painter of the Year.” Inspired by how those artists create their portraits in four hours, I’m trying to work quickly. This of course results in a less finished piece of work.
I’m trying to make the foreground and background work better together, paying attention to how the colors in the background reflect on the portrait, unify the color scheme of the painting. Also experimenting with using an economy of brush strokes, placing less emphasis on detail, and seeking more of an impressionist effect. Not sure how this progresses my technique — forwards? Or backwards? Time will tell.
