Julie Oakley led me to this at
The Portrait Party, where this Valentine's month it's
self-portraits and 'learning to love yourself' that are the challenge! I was tempted, like Julie, to use an older, gentler photo to draw from but decided I'd get to grips, as she did later too, with my 53 year old face.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp31CTJD584B8M4Xl8cYc_3ybkmQLVMMpl77l7pD3EAJgX5xqxS154B0B0OYurle7XpBEmj4O4IA5G596IfrDFFUeFTFGbf6t0L-WxWE7-GE-L4IGwqvkywut5v6aB9cykZMQVOC6Adl1y/s400/selfport.jpg)
My first attempt, that I was quite pleased with even though I
overdid the wrinkles rather - I felt it showed a wicked-witchy, mischievous side that I don't think many people know about me...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfIoKFDSYW2x-DKdMZK4yhexpUNVW0_9e3XliC2BxeMR_m75xT6pAL63DvEhGLw5JTycQI3WoXf9ZIpFni9JX3k8oLXLWSBDBchf6iMrAd8ftFzTPqzxRsEhEzqEoHiKFltFa-wjT6wDf/s400/PortrtWIP.jpg)
but I knew the proportions were 'off' and I couldn't work out where, so I traced the reference photo in Coreldraw and laid the tracing over my drawing - ! - below the eyes, it was way, way off. I really didn't like the way the tracing looked! (I think I saw this method of self-correction used by
Jeannette Jobson on her blog a while ago but can't find the exact link now)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8Ie_A0h4zEK_MeHl2kqOZZCwnnHZ1E6SDp70LN2ZVJogs4R_XaZWIGotv_4WxPF0IEJ_kXd_uZOMAhHuKyyZmCJ4LmHfTvt94TrkFaT-buKK4LejVqne7-ddGTnhGzL98iralitNp5T6/s400/portslfSIT.jpg)
Adding tone, line and wash - with Karisma very soft Graphite Aquarelle - improved matters and it does look more accurately like me, but is that the total point? I think I prefer the witchy one.
(Now I feel like I've hung all my laundry up on a very public line to dry!!)
11 comments:
While the last drawing may be more anatomically correct, I think the first one does have more life and pizazz to it. Great job on both, though. I always struggle with proportions too.
So, although you're obviously a super nice person you have a wicked, witchy streak? That's good... keeps things interesting!
Doesn't everyone Teresa ;) - I submitted the second one to the P.P. after my son said the first one looked 'Chubby Cheese'! They know how to stamp on your Achilles heel!
You look fine - and the first one is wicked - in all sense of the word! ;)
You are beautiful, and very brave. I agree with Teresa, both are great, the first one has a little more 'spunk' and I like the technique for checking proportions!
---Jane
Both are great portraits, but I do like the bit witchy one - it shows some spirit even if it may not be perfectly correct. And gosh, you don't have to worry about your 53-year-old self - you look great!
Interesting method of correction--it's so hard to get everything in the right place; weird since we look at faces all out lives!
I like the tilt of the head and the hint of a smile ...
Self-portraiture must be one of the hardest things to do, but you've done such a fine job!
I think both are great Cathy, the first all mischievious, but the second one has a softer, more serene feel to it.
Its such fun doing self portraits. I just love doing it and the subject rarely complains about them! :)
These are fabulous Cathy and both very likeable for different reasons. I think the first brings out the mischievous side which is fun. The second, the side you present to the world more often perhaps.
I find that each self portrait that I do looks entirely different from the previous one.
Hi Cathy
My first visit here..I find your drawings quite charming. will sure visit again.
cheers
I've been thinking of doing more self-portraits... you're an inspiration. I like your method of finding the corrections. Nice work.
They are fascinating, Cath. I don't know whether I have seen a self portrait of yours before. The second one is more representative of the sister I know and love .. the first one more interesting and lively. I suspect it is in the correcting and tightening up that the liveliness went a bit. Would love to see a combination.XXX
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