Self Portrait - Submitted to BP Portrait Awards

Figure 01                                           Figure 02

Today was the hand-in deadline for the BP Portrait awards, I have now submitted my piece and will wait and see. My painting is not at the stage I would like it to be, but that's due to lack of knowledge at this point. I am however proud of what has been accomplished, I've never tried to paint a realistic human figure in acrylics before, so this as a first try is satisfying. Whatever happens with the competition - I'm a happy bunny for trying something I was nervous to aim for, and will enter this competition every year.

This is the only other self-portrait i've tried in acrylics, a surrealist piece;

Self Portrait inspired by Dali

Figure 03

Self Portrait Update

When I started this painting I made several thick layers of paint to give texture. How this texture looked wasn't a problem, as long as there was another aspect to look at. Every morning I see how this texture has worked out for me. In some light the painting looks like a smoothed faced me, but when the light is coming from the side, I see a deteriorated older version of myself. The light shining on the texture casts shadows and makes the skin look aged. Take a look....

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Figure 02                               Figure 03

Self Portrait Update

Self Portrait Update

In this update I'm showing a before and after of some work on the right hand side of the  shirt. It's not quite going to plan yet but I'll figure it out soon.

Self Portrait Update

I'm still trying to correct the lips, here's an update of the progress.

Figure 01

I'm very happy with the eyes so far

Figure 02

Figure 03

Self Portrait Update

I've done some work on the lips, here's the updated image.

Figure 01

Figure 02

Self Portrait Update

In this update I have worked on the eyes, re-painted them completely to give more realism and character. I've shown a before and after for this one.

Figure 01

Figure 02

Figure 03

I think the next step is to have another go at the lips. They're still not quite there yet.

Self Portrait Update

This photo was taken with flash so some sections of paint are reflected.

Since the last update I've done some work to the lips, the facial tone in places, some more to the hair, and no it's not short hair, it's just mine tied up, i'm painting how I look when I paint. There is also a little bit added to the tone in the t-shirt, some more darkness. 

And Phil- Before you say it.... no I'm not going to smile in this painting :P

Self Portrait Update

Self Portrait Update

Self Portrait Update

The colour representation varies slightly within the images due to day time / night time photos.

Figure 01.

Figure 02.

Figure 03.

Self Portrait Update

Earlier in the year I began a self-portrait, I put it to one side for a while but I'm now back working on it, so I'll be posting up as I go along. This is a link to previous posts for this painting, click Here.

Figure 01

Figure 02

Self Portrait W.I.P. 04

Where the last post left off....

Brush: ROYAL CRAFTER'S CHOICE Grip size 1

I think these images are pretty self explanatory, not much done but the detail takes time, more updates soon :)

Notes on the image so far though.... 

I definitely need to sort the mouth out... seems quite crooked and the eyes look quite small but I think that will be sorted out when I start detail in the eye lids 

Self Portrait W.I.P. 03

Airbrushing equipment I'm using....

110 power converter....

Aztek air compressor....

My trusty Aztek T-AZ7778 - A470M Airbrush....

Since the last post I have added a few more layers to my painting, the first being some Crimson.

Looking horribly sunburnt like that.

Next layer is a mix of white, yellow, crimson and sepia.

A Sepia layer.

Then back over with the light flesh tone mix.

So far....

Next, some detail back in with paint brushes

Self Portrait W.I.P. 02

Ok, Paints, Brushes, Method and Update....

Fig. 1

First things first, a nice Nespresso to wake me up :)

Fig. 2

White Emulsion. I painted on a think layer of this to the canvas first, I wanted to create texture with paint.

Fig. 3

The Blue that I applied next is a B&Q Sarong Tester pot, I am not following any particular method other than enjoying the experimentation and seeing how it turns out. I know that when making flesh tones there is always a dab of blue mixed in so I put a blue base coat to see how it would look. The Brushes for the thick layers are just regular decorating brushes, shown in the photo above.

Fig. 4

These are my collection of brushes, many different brands and sizes, I shall show which ones I use at different stages.

Fig. 5

Fig. 6

Figures 5 & 6 show my general collection of paints, again I will show which ones I use where. The Glass pipet jar paints in figure 6 are mainly just for airbrushing.

Fig. 7

Where the last post left off.

Fig. 8

I wasn't happy with the facial proportions so I decided to paint over with white so I had a clearer canvas to re-paint it.

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Fig. 10

I'm still not sure about the forehead but will see how it goes along.

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Fig. 12

To add more under colour layers I added yellow first.

Fig. 13

Then some crimson, all very watered down with water so they are just washes.

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Fig. 15

This is the stage I got to with the paint brushes, next, some airbrushing.

Fig. 16

I used these brushes to apply the colour....

Fig. 17

....With these paints. These are all emulsion.

Fig. 18

Onto the airbrushing next.... Health & Safety 'n' all.

Fig. 19

The first coat is just a light spray of white to pick out highlighted areas.

Fig. 20

Mixing a very light flesh tone with some White, one drop of crimson and one drop of brilliant yellow. This makes the next layer of airbrushed tone.

Fig. 21

Fig. 22

Break time.... update soon.