Self-Portraits. Journal - Essay Example

Additionally, I do not need to be responsible to anyone or share my practice with anyone; I do not need to dress up, put on make-up, I just need to capture the uniqueness and individuality of me. I choose to do a self-portrait so that I can capture and paint my subject matter as best as I can and as no one else as ever done before. Painting a self-portrait helps me in expressing certain aspects of myself and identities, far beyond the surface of physical appearance. 2. Describe “your” artistic choices in composition: use of color, space, etc.

I consider color to be the most ungovernable and essential element in painting, therefore, when choosing the under painting, the first thing I usually do before I start painting, I am always weary of the color that I will use. I prefer creating a gray scale using Raw Sienna starting at white and mixing a small amount of the preferred color into white; this creates various tones of color. Using burnt amber and ultramarine blue, I mix the black color. Using twelve square scale gives me enough values that I use in painting the self-portrait (Bartel, 2010).

As noted earlier, I prefer raw sienna; this is because, it helps in setting charcoal such that, it acts as highlight, which allows for the under painting to be visible through the final paints layer surface; and also, it does not smear into my painting. The colors I use are more affluent and brush strokes are more prominent In order to portray illusionistic form, I borrow the smooth, fine technique utilized by Rembrandt in his paintings (Bruyn, Wetering, & Rijn, 2005). In some areas of my self-portrait where I have used paint with tactile quality, I employ the technique of rough treatment of highly multicolored paint surfaces so as to allow for the portrayal of illusionist form (Albert, 2003).

In order to suggest space, I again borrow a technique of leaving large white spaces employed not only by Rembrandt, but by Titian, as well. In addition, I also use of intricate webs of line in order to get an effect of rich dark tones (Bruyn et al., 2005). Primarily, I am able to create dramatic effects by using shadow and strong contrasts of light, which is an emulation of Rubens’ baroque style. Having read, seen and become familiar some of Venetian art, my use of brushwork is more expressive; and I have developed a tendency of putting figures in parallel to the picture plane. 3. Explain what the portrait represents about “you” (as the artist.) This self-portrait depicts or represents a happier, although it looks a bit serious, the smile on my face, the look in my eyes, and the grim in my face shows a comfortable, happy, and free soul.

The most important thing to note about this portrait is that, it is a unique representation of the real me; I have not in any way attempted to conceal the imperfections on my face, therefore, it leaves very little to be imagined. Apart from accurately representing the physical and emotional uniqueness of my face, this self-portrait also invites the spectators to study and analyze the techniques I use. For instance, on close inspection of this portrait, anyone familiar with Rembrandt’s work will notice that, my face emerges from the movement of the brush and that my hair is as a result of carefully measured work. 4. Explain “your” choices of subject with regard to at least three other specific pieces