Transitioning to Grey Power

Yikes, did it. Cut shorter, letting the whites and greys be as they are. Asked for a Greta Garbo look... lol! When I got on a crowded streetcar, I had a new experience - a young man jumped up and offered me his seat, which I appreciated having walked about 7 km in summer heat, and sat gratefully with thanks to him. Once I get ma mop all grown out, I'll grow it longer again - this is a bit short, though nice for summer. #selfie
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#7 Self Portrait Sundays (oil)

Self Portrait ©Brenda Clews, July 14, 2019

This is my 7th self-portrait so far, and I am still getting used to my face! Was trying to work on volume in this one. Also, as ever, to accurately paint what I see in the mirror. I am frustrated with lots of things in this painting, but enough is enough. Started on Friday, finished this morning. Oil on canvas sheet, 24"x18".

Friends have called me on the 'stern' look - uh, no. Rather... the self-scrutinizing gaze in the mirror trying to get the damn face in paint, and not liking how it's going!

The plain face, no make-up, alone in the privacy of intense concentration. The self painting the self in solitary scrutiny without thought to the social face.
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#6 Self Portrait Sundays (acrylic)

Self Portraits ©Brenda Clews, July 5, 2019

Acrylic on canvas sheet, 24"x18". Still using up leftover paint on a stay-wet palette. I find acrylic a challenge since it dries so quickly and covers the layers underneath completely if you're not careful. Somewhat okay with this self portrait (DSLR in daylight), even with all the errors to my eye, and with the spooky early version (iPhone photo at night). Going to toss that old palette, yes! :}

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#5 Sunday Self Portrait (acrylic)

Self Portrait ©Brenda Clews, June 23, 2019

A continued probing of the self, my 5th self-portrait here. I had a 'Stay-Wet' palette of leftover acrylics from another project and thought to use them. Yeah, like how many hours later! It's hard work, guys. I almost blame it on the 2-dimensional nature of the mirror image where the person (yourself) has no actual volume in space. We have to imagine in to ourselves. A behatted self! 12"x14", acrylic on a canvas sheet.
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#3 Sunday Self Portrait (ink sketch)

Self Portrait, ©Brenda Clews, June 9, 2019

This was done in an unforgiving permanent blue document ink (De Atramentis) with a Franklin-Christoph fountain pen. And then some off-white conté that matches the paper to try to 'fix' it! These ink drawings are challenging. Haven't worked with this pen much (a new fude nib) and need to learn how to use it. It's 11"x15" on Strathmore watercolour paper. Photo taken in fading light!
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# 2 Sunday Self Portrait (watercolour)

Self Portrait, © Brenda Clews, June 2, 2019

Almost finished or perhaps never to be finished - this painting taught me to check on neck length! Watercolour, 14" x 20", Arches paper. Earlier version also shown.

Doing this one reminded me how much I love watercolours!
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#1 Sunday Self-Portrait (sketch)

Just joined a lovely group where you post self-portraits done only on Sunday, and absolutely not from a photograph. It was such a busy day, but, after an early evening meditation, I dove into a quick graphite sketch as the light was fading - it's page size. The self-portrait is a bit fierce, but hey I 'am' concentrating! I look forward to some self-exploration in the months ahead and seeing many wonderful self-portraits by members of the group.

Also, I need to re-take this since I hadn't balanced the lighting for the photo, or I might not.
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