Welcome to the Jul--Sep 2009 Project. The theme for this project will be "Self Portrait." The painting you submit must be painted specifically for this project and be watermedia. Submit your images to me via email or snail mail. Send title, size, and comments about the paintings and painting process. Let me know if it is OK to link your email address when I add your image to the project page. The project end date is Sep 30, 2009.
The images on this page are protected by copyright
law. Any use without the expressed consent of the artist is prohibited!!!
Yacov Levi
"Untitled"
Here my contribution.
Maury Kettell
"Pole Creek"
I recently had the opportunity to spend some time with my nephew, fly fishing some high mountains streams in western Colorado. Some time during that expedition, my nephew took a photo of me sitting beside Pole Creek. I used that image for this painting. I'm not very adept with portraits and that is why I keep coming back to them. I think this is my best self portrait so far--I did a lot of brush work--wet on dry--more in an impressionist style. I painted the shirt and it was pretty ugly so I washed it out as best I could and then went back in and used the wet on dry technique and that seemed to work.
Barbara Sailor
"Only Gypsies and Peasants"
Attached is my self-portrait for this project.
The size is 1/8 sheet of 140 lb. cold-pressed Arches. My grandmother was a
wonderful woman, but definitely of the "old school" and when I got
my ears pierced she told me that only gypsies and peasants pierced their ears.
Of course I wear the gaudiest earrings I can find because I like big hoops,
but I always think of her when I put them on. This painting takes about 20
years off of my age because, seriously, I tried to make those wrinkles deeper,
but for some reason, they aren't there: Thanks for the opportunity to do these
paintings and the contact with other artists.
Frank Schneider
"Morin' Coffee"
Attached is my self portrait for this challenge. It is 8 x10 on Arches 140 # and is watercolor. Titled Morin' Coffee.
Charlie Morison
"Untitled"
I did the painting this morning. In a book that I read it said that most people that have their portraits painted, don't like the results. I totally agree. This was painted from a picture taken at an Elderhostel two week painting session in Northern Michigan. There were 13 seniors attending and I was the best looking male in the class. I was also the only one. (8-)> As in the past it was painted on Arches Watercolor Block. I used a sponge for most of the trees and I suppose that could be considered cheating but I guess in the past artists have uses twigs and feathers. That might be a challenge on a future painting. I do have two eyes but somehow the far one got lost in the process. I think a little more texture to the shirt might have added interest and I may try that later. I am looking forward to future portraits.
Dorothy Wagner
"A Peach of a Gal"
This is a small painting 7 by 8 inches. Painted on 140 # Arches cold press, with Winsor-Newton paints. I used masking fluid to develop the white lines. I had fun with this painting. Thanks Maury, look forward to more of your challenging topics.
Deborah Holmes
"Untitled"
Attached is my self portrait, in fact, it is my first portrait. I used Strathmore 140 CP, 5.5"x8.5"; Cheap Joe's American Journey watercolor paints. Thanks to my friends for their encouragement. They gave me the confidence to attempt this project not matter what!
Sherry Thurner
"Untitled"
8.5x11 inches, Arches. I liked the strong shadows and highlights in this one.
Merry Nuutinen
"Untitled"
Here's my first attempt at a self portrait. I think it looks more like my mother than me, but my kids say I'm getting more and more like her everyday. This is an 11 x 14, done with transparent Winsor Newton paints. I will be taking a portrait class in October. It will be interesting to see if I improve on doing them. Thanks for the opportunity to display some paintings.
Cathy Geha
"Untitled"
This is my second attempt at a watercolor painting. I have to admit that I first tried to draw myself from a photo then gave up and traced myself getting a much better version. The skin tone is slightly darker/more pink than I usually am so perhaps I am blushing or sunburned or tanned? I used predominately Daniel Smith watercolors with some Winsor & Newton artist quality paints on Lukas 140 pound 100% cotton paper. The painting is about 8x10 inches. Thank you for offering us this challenge and opportunity to share what we have accomplished.
Barbara Lowe
"Untitled"
I have attached a painting. I used Arches
140 lb block and the painting is approx. 7.5 X 10 in.
This is my first attempt at a self protrait.
Jeni Smith
"Untitled"
Hi Maury, this is my submission for self portrait painted from a photo my husband took It is about 10x 12 on Bockingford 300gms paper with W&N and Art Spectrum paints. Completed it is about 1.5 hours - bit anaemic but too scared to do more and lose the likeness Looking forward to next challenge and thank you so much for the opportunity .
Georgina Jones
"Untitled"
I painted this portrait from a photograph taken last week, but I have to be honest and admit that I look a lot older.....it's more like me about forty years ago!!! Seemed a pity to spoil it with wrinkles and stuff so hope that's O.K with you. It's a bit one sided because I couldn't get my new camera to produce a good picture and so I scanned it. Thanks again for getting me to the drawing board....I feel that my paintings are improving slowly.
Geri Ward
"Untitled"
I used d'Arches 9x12 140 paper and W&N paints (I call it vintage paper, a mostly unused block found at an estate sale last summer for $2, with the bonus of a very nice sketch on the first piece of paper!). This was done freehand from a photo, mostly wet on dry, with a very small amount of pencil in an attempt to get the chin line right. This is the final of three attempts, so if I look a bit plastic and ruddy, so be it ~ and feel free to imagine six years' worth of wrinkles. Can't believe it's been a year since I've actually submitted anything, and while I've been painting a little bit, I have not challenged myself at all...so thanks for this one; nice to be back.
Ed Spelde
"Untitled"
I happened upon your site about four months ago. I have been painting for less than a year. I have fallen in love with watercolor. I painted this wet on dry on 9X12 Arches 140 lb paper with Winsor and Newton paints. I have never attempted a human face let alone my own. I am a CPA and I always wear glasses so they stayed on and made this tougher but that's who I am. This is from a photo and like many comments from earlier entries, I wish I still looked this young. WC takes fifteen years off. I also have to say I am not this green or this orange but the likeness is reasonable so I am going to submit and hope for a fall project that I can achieve more satisfying results. I love the site and the concept and look forward to many future projects. Thanks for doing this.
Cathy Joerger
"Untitled"
Attached is my submission for Self-Portrait project. I used Winsor Newton and Daniel Smith paints and 140 lb paper, about 11 by 14. This portrait project was a real challenge for me - after several attempts over the summer, we finally arrive at the end of the project period and I can say "enough" - it's finished! I loved the process - I loved the challenge! Thanks for being out there!
More Images to Come
