Wednesday, January 16, 2008

"Karin"


6 x 6"
oil on masonite
NFS

Next up on the alphabet is K ...... and a friend of mine suggested a while back that I try a self-portrait. Yikes. There's a first time for everything. I have a larger view on my website if you're interested - not that you wanna see my face as big as your screen - but there's some cool brushwork involved. I tried so hard to stay loose on this.

24 comments:

  1. Very Expressive. Don't let this be the last!

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  2. You have created that magic once again. Such a detailed study on such a small piece. I adore your paintings.

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  3. Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic.

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  4. So, mirror or photo/double mirror?

    I've always wondered which self portraits through history are mirror imaged.

    Nice exercise.

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  5. Well you know that Rembrandt did a few of these..... ;)

    If this is your first ever self-portrait Karen I think you should be very, very proud of yourself - well done!

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  6. Karin, this is a great piece, absolutely masterful and very expressive. Fabulous work as always! I always look forward to seeing your latest piece.

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  7. Karin! You nailed it from what I know you to look like from your site/blog. So insprining! You kept you looseness nicely. I love the dramatic lighting. I did one similar in this regard called, "Go Sista" a black woman emerging from darkness in to light with the light in that painting. 3rd page of my gallery on http://www.clairekayser.com


    Cheers,
    Claire

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  8. Hi Karin,
    You're right about the beautiful, loose expressive brushwork on this one. I so admire your work. I'm curious if you did this looking in a mirror or from a photo?

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  9. Excellent contrast and lighting. Very good, especially for a first try at a self-portrait.

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  10. This is soooo beautiful!!! You kept all the colors fresh and the brushwork interesting. I've loved your work for a long time, and I really enjoyed seeing this beautiful self-portrait. Thanks!

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  11. I did this from a photograph I took - more practical, timing wise. Thank you all for the feedback, it means a lot.

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  12. This is gorgeous! I think you should do more portraits! I love the dramatic lighting, and your color sense is incredible.

    Do you make a freehand sketch from a photo or do you grid it somehow onto your panel?

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  13. Most are done freehand, with a light pencil or just the paint.

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  14. Very dramatic! I'm amazed that you painted this as a 6x6. With all the details and brushstrokes it comes off as a larger piece. How much time did this take you?

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  15. This is wonderful Karen! I just hope that my paintings will one day be as expressive as yours!

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  16. Oooooh yeah! Cool brushstrokes indeed! And I might add the extra risk-taking involved in self-portraits vs other people. Well done!

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  17. Karin, the brushwork is fantastic. I've looked at the larger image on your website and I have to say that the painting really needs to be seen in a larger view to appreciate the dexterity with which you've handled the paint, and the expressive brushstrokes. You are an inspiring painter! Can I just ask you, how long would you spend on a painting like this, did you complete this painting in one session - wet into wet? Thanks. Neil.

    www.Neil-Nelson.blogspot.com

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  18. Good luck with your portrait in the American Artist's Self-Portrait Competition!, It's a strong contentder.

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