Sunday, 23 September 2007

EDM # 56 - Self Portrait

This was indeed a real challenge for me. My first ever self-portrait! I placed a mirror on a chair and sat opposite while I did my best to draw the image looking back at me. One thing I discovered is that it's definitely not easy trying to relax, hold a pose and, at the same time, concentrate on drawing my own image. I can see a likeness and the kids agree, however, I can see areas that are not right....my nose is not that long so I think, if it were shortened a little, and the eyes and upper part of my head were moved down a fraction thereby rounding my face a little more, it would have looked more like me. Another point to note is that this is drawn from a mirror image and, in reality, my hair clasp is on the right side of my head etc. Next time, I think a few glasses of vodka and orange juice before I start drawing wouldn't go astray either.

Self-portrait - Graphite in A5 sketchbook - © Serena Lewis
Click on image to enlarge

Added to post on 24-09-07 - As a matter of interest and to see if my observations in where I went wrong were correct, I took the pic into Paintshop Pro and shortened the nose area, then I moved the top part of my head down....I think it is definitely more like me in this altered pic as my face is more the round shape it should be. This challenge, while daunting, has been a wonderful lesson for me.
Self-portrait digitally adjusted
Click on image to enlarge
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20 comments:

  1. Shelly McC23 September 2007 at 18:53

    This is a wonderful self portrait! Great work!

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  2. Serena Lewis23 September 2007 at 20:48

    Thanks, Shelly :)

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  3. Sherry Pierce Thurner23 September 2007 at 21:36

    Of course I have never met you, but I think the drawing strongly resembles your photo. Anyway, it is a charming portrait.

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  4. Margaret McCarthy Hunt23 September 2007 at 22:49

    Nice job...gorgeous you!:>

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  5. Northbrook Designs23 September 2007 at 23:54

    You're to hard on yourself...You've done a great job Serena. Ro

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  6. Linda24 September 2007 at 00:52

    It looks great -- compared to your photo, it is a wonderful likeness!

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  7. Anonymous24 September 2007 at 01:29

    I love it. It is so awesome to see an artist paint a self portrait.

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  8. Anonymous24 September 2007 at 04:17

    Lovely! Kids are harsh critics so if they think it looks like you - bravo!

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  9. Belinda Lindhardt24 September 2007 at 14:34

    Hehehe Great Job Serena
    Good on you for giving it a go :)

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  10. Serena Lewis24 September 2007 at 17:54

    Thanks, everyone, I appreciate the feedback. :)

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  11. Teri25 September 2007 at 02:26

    I applaud you for not only trying a self-portrait but being hugely successful!!

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  12. Anonymous25 September 2007 at 07:11

    You did great on the first drawing Serena. And after you did just those few adjustment...it is absolutely you!(according to your picture)It is a great lesson for us all, because we can sometimes know something isn't just right, but it isn't that easy seeing where the hitch is....thanks for sharing
    ronell

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  13. Serena Lewis25 September 2007 at 07:22

    Thanks, Teri and Ronell :)

    Ronell, that is so right...I knew something wasn't quite right with the self-portrait and, after studying and comparing some more, I realised where the problem area lay. It's definitely a great lesson in observation.

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  14. Meinhild Selbach25 September 2007 at 19:57

    Great job Serena,
    much like the picture. The problem area I see are your eyes. They are too straight on the drawing. Other than that, perfect.
    Greetings
    Meinhild

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  15. Serena Lewis25 September 2007 at 20:12

    Thank you, Meinhild....I knew the eyes weren't quite right but couldn't quite work out what the problem was. :)

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  16. stapeliad26 September 2007 at 07:13

    This is great- I love the hair!

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  17. Serena Lewis26 September 2007 at 12:45

    Thanks, Jessica :)

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  18. Maria Catalina Wiley26 September 2007 at 19:44

    Wow, you have been busy since I was last here! I LOVE your drawings! I wish I could draw like that, especially hair!
    You did a fantastic job:)
    cheers,
    Maria

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  19. Sharon27 September 2007 at 00:41

    Serena, glad you are back! I particularly like the way you rendered your hair in this self-portrait. The phone, eagle, wolf - all very nicely done!

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  20. Serena Lewis27 September 2007 at 08:13

    Thank you, Maria and Sharon. :)

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