This self portrait is my answer to Alice Thompson's invitation to any artists wishing to participate in her first challenge. I felt I had to, and wanted to participate in Alice's project, because she was a tremendous help to me getting started with my blog, and her support has always been fabulous. The criteria was to do a self portrait using only one colour along with black and white. I chose Phthlo blue. I am also supposed to explain why I chose the colour I used. After looking at my reference photo which was shot outdoors in my snowy front yard, I decided that blue was the predominent hue which I was picking up as I squinted at the photo. Normally I would have chosen a warmer colour like burnt sienna, but the thought of using blue intrigued me. You can see the other artist submissions at Calypso Moon Artist Movement. Thanks Alice for taking the time and making a huge effort to get this going.
oil on masonite
5" x 7"
This man seems very calm and quite able to handle anything that comes his way without being easily shaken- the trees in the background tell me that you are well rooted and have weathered a storm or two. The glow of light on his face and shoulder also suggest that you are warm and welcome those who need someone to lean on.
ReplyDeleteThank you Vern, a classic for sure.
What a great self portrait. I have to admit I like the limited palette.
ReplyDeleteLove it, Vern, the limited palette, the facial expression, so inquisitive, the graphic composition. Good stuff!
ReplyDeletea beautiful self-portrait Vern. It's interesting that you mentioned initially wanting burnt sienna, but the phthalo mix with black gives a brown anyway, but cooler. I like the tone of turning evening it gives the portrait.
ReplyDeleteTrue Blue.
ReplyDeleteAnd I just gotta like anyone standing in the trees. Observing.
The warm brown that results in the black and blue mix...aren't colors astounding?
Thank you for all of the observations and comments that you post on my blog. I really enjoy them.
Weird, I thought your third color was a shade of brown! I guess the yellow in the thalo gives you brown when mixed with black. Well, Vern, this is beautiful. Your pose gives such a pensive feeling and I love the surrounding trees. Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWonderful self portrait Vern. It was an interesting color choice and it works so well.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a guy who's out standing in his field...! (sorry, bad joke) I like seeing some environment around a portrait to give some sense of place and purpose. I may get carried away with that myself but I've put over 20 years as an architect into designing spaces and places so I guess its hard for me to ignore them!!
ReplyDeleteI second the comments about the wild brown you pulled out of thalo blue! I find those Thalo colors are tricky.
Vern you too depicted an introspective pose to your self portrait. It impresses me that this little piece holds a lot of information. I see it as a little gem!
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic self portrait, Vern! Great choice of color.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you see yourself here Vern. Intense, intent and yet sensitive to his surroundings. I see a little bit of warm hues over your left shoulder. Sets off the cool tones very nicely.
ReplyDeletePhthalo blue can be so tricky but you handled it beautifully by not letting it take over your painting. I Love how you even found the right mixture to give the background trees a little warmth.
ReplyDeleteGreat job, Vern!
Vern, Nice job on the self portrait. I love your "lost in thought / What's over the horizon?" look. I blush to admit that I have never played with phthalo blue, as it always seemed so intense. You have shown me that it can be handled with sensitivity. Thanks.
ReplyDeletePthalo blue is a great color for this backdrop. Your gaze to the horizon looks hopeful and inquisitive. Nice job! Alice has a great new start to her challenge blog.
ReplyDeleteVery nice Vern. I see the image of a man peering beyond the far horizon into a misty tomorrow and weightedly pondering the ramifications, consequences and general effect that the events of today may have upon that upcoming event. That, or maybe he's hungry for a cheese pizza. :-)
ReplyDeleteSuperb portrait, and the color is the perfect choice. I think Alice says it all best....
ReplyDeleteterrific work.
A limited palette and it ends up to be a strong painting. I too would like to do more with limiting my colors, working with values. Nice job.
ReplyDelete