Self-Portrait

"Self-Portrait"
6.5x8 oil on linen

This is my contribution to Alice Thompson's first challenge on her new blog, "Calypso Moon Artist Movement." She has invited fine artists to do a self-portrait using only one color of their choice along with black and white.

I have been thinking about doing a self-portrait and decided this would be a good time to try since I haven't done one in years.

I had no problem in deciding what color to choose since I have been using the Zorn palette lately and have been fascinated by the rich browns I can get with just Cadmium red light and Ivory black. Also when Ivory black, which is a cool color, is mixed with Titanium white it looks blue next to the warm red. In this portrait I was pleasantly surprised that I could get nice flesh tones with the three colors minus Yellow Ochre that I had been using in the Zorn palette.

Thank you Alice for coming up with this wonderful creative challenge and inviting other artists to participate.
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19 comments:

  1. Kaylyn MunroFebruary 21, 2010 at 2:52 PM

    Wow. Your work with the gesture portaits is paying off nicely. Interesting about the cad red and black. I'm using Ivory and Mars black...I need to do a color test for warmth/coolness.

    I saw your site yesterday and looked into the Watts DVD...one of the better instructional I've seen. I like the fact that he stresses that you have very good drawing skills to pull of a good portrait. I saw another "learn to paint" site that swore you don't 'even have to know how to draw to paint like this!!" Bull hooey.

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  2. UnknownFebruary 21, 2010 at 3:11 PM

    Love the angle you chose for your portrait Carol. I need to really start experimenting on that Zorn palette.

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  3. Camille LaRue OlsenFebruary 21, 2010 at 3:29 PM

    I LOVE this, Carol. Your expression, the composition with the shirt lines and window lines moving your eye around the canvas, the palette and moody lighting, your brushwork is wonderful... the whole piece is fantastic. BRAVA!

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  4. Vern SchwarzFebruary 21, 2010 at 4:00 PM

    Great job on this Carol. I like the perspective and the cad red light which gives this painting a real beautiful warm glow.

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  5. dominique eichiFebruary 21, 2010 at 4:52 PM

    I like this piece, the angle is very interesting and it came out so nice with the limited palette.

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  6. Angela ElledgeFebruary 21, 2010 at 6:13 PM

    Absolutely beautiful! This has such a large size canvas feeling to it; outstanding!

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  7. EarthulaFebruary 21, 2010 at 6:57 PM

    I like the angle, as well. The way it makes one look up, curiously.

    The brushstrokes are so softening.

    Nice to meet you this way.

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  8. Dana CooperFebruary 21, 2010 at 8:29 PM

    Beautiful Carol, all your portrait study of late is really paying off in this beautiful piece!

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  9. Calypso Moon Artist MovementFebruary 21, 2010 at 11:19 PM

    She looks like a woman with purpose and direction. The portrait perspective is extremely unusual telling me she has lots of depth within her planes of existence. She seems passionate and positive. I like this face.

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  10. Art By ErikaFebruary 21, 2010 at 11:55 PM

    I can always count on some "treat" from you Carol. You always contribute to my art knowledge when I see your work. Love the angle you chose for your portrait; it draws the viewer in to see more. Her gesture tells me she's got something on her mind - I love a good story. I too will have to explore Zorn's palette. I've been craving simplicity in this hectic world. Excellent as always!

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  11. -DonFebruary 22, 2010 at 4:07 AM

    Everyone else has said everything so well that all I can add is FANTASTIC!

    -Don

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  12. Mark AdamsFebruary 22, 2010 at 10:04 AM

    Carol, I just spent a bunch of time looking at your blog. To say I was impressed would be an understatement. I can see why you choose that "viewed while kneeling" perspective - "We're not worthy, we're not worthy..."

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  13. Carol HorzempaFebruary 22, 2010 at 2:17 PM

    Thanks everyone for leaving comments that are making me blush redder than my self-portrait!

    Seriously, these wonderful and encouraging comments you fellow artist leave on my blog are what keeps me going when my confidence is down. Thank you so much!

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  14. patricia cotterillFebruary 22, 2010 at 2:43 PM

    What can I say Carol that has not already been said? Looks like you are standing proud in this one, and you should be.

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  15. Carrie GriesemerFebruary 22, 2010 at 3:52 PM

    You've definitely got me looking up to you with this one! The brush work is great, even the glasses are nice a fresh looking. Keep going with the portraits!

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  16. Art with LizFebruary 23, 2010 at 6:39 AM

    What a great portrait and a great idea - getting the imagination working with challenges like this.

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  17. HMCraigFebruary 25, 2010 at 2:43 PM

    This is a great self portrait, and even more impressive that you achieved so many colors with such a restricted palette!

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  18. Gwen BellFebruary 26, 2010 at 10:27 PM

    Super self-portrait! Great angle and the mono palette really sets the mood and works so beautifully.

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  19. jyothisethuFebruary 27, 2010 at 12:27 PM

    the dual chrome (shall i use this phrase?) portrait is fantastic...
    may be, cadmium red is the best in this situation...
    congratulations...

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