Just finished…
Like most classical painters I’ve incorporated the practice of painting a Selfportrait every few years. This in order to test and upgrade my painterly skillset if you will, to see where I’m at in terms of controll of color, value, tonality and speed. I paint ‘alla prima’ (in one sitting) in these cases, usually within 3-4 hours. If I’m not happy with the result I hide it away in a stuffy drawer.
This was my first Selfportrait in almost a decade, give or take. I’m very pleased with the result. Someone noticed shift in how I look in the mirror, subtle but noticeable.
The cartouche on the left is Hindi script inspired by Japanse Ukiyo-e prints, of which I’m a big fan, just like Van Gogh. Also a fan. It’s pictorially more interesting.