Artists

femmedem

(8,463 posts) Sun Sep 20, 2020, 02:52 PM Sep 2020

Finished a self portrait today. [View all]

Sorry I've been away for so long! I've been back to work for a while, and it's been busy. But I just finished this little 10x10 oil self-portrait today. This one was to learn how to paint warm shadows and cool lights. I used lemon yellow, permanent alizarin and ultramarine blue with titanium white for the light areas and yellow ochre, cadmium red medium, transparent red oxide, cobalt blue and titanium white for the shadow areas. (I used an ultramarine/transparent red oxide mix for the darkest darks.) It felt so counterintuitive--I'm so used to reaching for alizarin and ultramarine for my darks--but it worked, I think.

It's good to see how much painting you've all been up to.

44 replies

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Finished a self portrait today. [View all] femmedem Sep 2020 OP

Wow! shenmue Sep 2020 #1

Thanks. I've been watching some instructional videos in the evenings with Mr. Femmedem. femmedem Sep 2020 #4

That's lovely . . Iliyah Sep 2020 #2

Thank you! n/t femmedem Sep 2020 #8

nice painting. how much does it actually look like u? selfies are difficult nt msongs Sep 2020 #3

The mouth is a little small, but otherwise I think it's a good likeness. femmedem Sep 2020 #7

The tones are very good Bayard Sep 2020 #5

Sorry you haven't been able to carve out any time. femmedem Sep 2020 #9

Lovely! redstatebluegirl Sep 2020 #6

Thank you! n/t femmedem Sep 2020 #10

Impressive! soothsayer Sep 2020 #11

Thanks, Soothsayer. femmedem Sep 2020 #20

That's an interesting process and comforting to know one can improve soothsayer Sep 2020 #21

oh my Skittles Sep 2020 #12

Thanks, Skittles. femmedem Sep 2020 #19

i put my oils away ages ago.. i was tired of dog hair in my pallate samnsara Sep 2020 #13

Ha, I can picture it! I had to make sure mine wasn't anyplace the cats could jump. femmedem Sep 2020 #18

You were on my mind a lot lunatica Sep 2020 #14

Oh thank you, Lunatica. I had a north window to my left so I had soft, consistent light. femmedem Sep 2020 #16

Fabulous Ohiogal Sep 2020 #15

Aw, thank you! femmedem Sep 2020 #17

Omgosh! I love it! Alliepoo Sep 2020 #22

Thank you! femmedem Sep 2020 #32

Beautiful model; beautiful work.... No Vested Interest Sep 2020 #23

Thank you! eom. femmedem Sep 2020 #33

Fantastic. k&r n/t Laelth Sep 2020 #24

Thanks, Laelth. femmedem Sep 2020 #34

Wow, you're so talented - thanks for posting this. nt iluvtennis Sep 2020 #25

Thanks! I don't know if I'm all that talented femmedem Sep 2020 #35

Wow this is astounding! I am so in awe of your talent! LiberalLoner Sep 2020 #26

Thanks so much! femmedem Sep 2020 #36

What a lovely self portrait! PWPippinesq Sep 2020 #27

Beautiful treatment of the subject! nt pazzyanne Sep 2020 #28

I hope you do get back to your easel! femmedem Sep 2020 #37

I think it is beautiful. MLAA Sep 2020 #29

Thanks, MLAA. femmedem Sep 2020 #38

The beauty that only time can grant. n/t sarge43 Sep 2020 #30

Thank you! n/t femmedem Sep 2020 #39

I love your work! Baked Potato Sep 2020 #31

Thank you! n/t femmedem Sep 2020 #40

Very nice! bif Sep 2020 #41

Thanks, Bif. I hope you know I'm a fan of your work, too. n/t femmedem Sep 2020 #42

The Mutual Admiration Society! bif Sep 2020 #43

Lovely, Grey5 Sep 2020 #44