self

Arches CP 300 gsm, 14" x 10".

seems appropriate to conclude the past few months of portrait studes with a freehand drawing of myself.

this is probably the most accurate portrait i have done. i tried to capture my typical know it all smirk, but i'm not sure that comes off.

i have a charcoal self portrait sketch hanging above my studio french doors. one model thought i looked angry, another model thought i looked pensive.

i liked that. a successful portrait in my eye should look different to different people -- different to the same person in different moods. because that is how people are, and our relationships to them.

background is green gold, two layers; shirt is ultramarine violet; the usual i've forgotten what flesh mixture, and a lot of patience with the eyes.