A Long Look in the Mirror (Self Portraiture)

To me on a personal level this is a form of self acceptance, being able to look  in the mirror long enough to capture my self in true detail.  I felt very happy after completing this A4 graphite face study. 

Even though I dont look it in the picture I am pleased with the outcome, having never being able to achieve a proper face study of myself before.  I know that my drawing skills are not the best in the world,  I have managed to draw an okay likeness to my face.  I guess the more I practice and play about with this the better I'll get with it.

This Side profile of myself was done from a photograph,  I have not yet managed a side profile from the mirror yet but will get there in the end. 

Straight away I can see the diference between using a photo from using a life pose, my drawing looks flater.  This was a face study is A3 in Chalks and Charcoal on a momochromatic style, which I quite like the affect of.  This drawing later inspired me to develope other ideas also, which I will show further down.

This Study was a quick one I done in A3 with my new pro markers which I still need to get to grips with.  They are a versatile medium to work with which can be used many surfaces including acrylics, which I'm definetly interested in exploring as soon as.  Anyhoo for this study I have drawn it using the thick side of the pen to block in the shadows and then I have the finer side of a darker pen to scribble in the details.  It has given it a kind of anime affect, which I like and will later go back an develope on.  This Drawing inspire me to attempt a larger version which you can see below.

This is a snippet of my A2 scale Drawing in chalk pastel,  I used the mirror inconjunction with the drawing above.  I feel I have alot to learn regarding build up the form of the face using various flesh tones.  After looking at the works of Lucian Freud,  I am greatly inspired to make it one of my missions in life to hone the skills of figurative and portraiture.....

I am also still exploring in depth with how many mediums work and how they mix.  This is the most I have played with chalks on a figurative level. 

I descovered a few tricks up my sleeve into getting to grips on how I can apply them, blend them and also apply layers ontop without mixing the lower layers in.  

An important tip to anyone is to make sure you have plenty fixative (hairspray) and a hair dryer at hand.

The Image above is a development from my side profile drawing. 

I like the idea of looking at the negative space and creating something from it eventually.  I created a stensil from my origional drawing and have played about with it.

By repeating the stencil over itself repeatedly I have created a different, idea of my portrait.  Looking at the layers of myself from within possibley.  This idea can become so many other ideas also.  I am yet to explore.

I have tried out the same idea, this time with colours,  each colour represents one of the seven energy centres within the human body, for example the Charkras. 

I feel that it is essential for every person to become familiar with these aspects within their energy fields.

After turning the image on its side it becomes something entirely different to a face.  It can be percieved in many ways depending on its viewer.  It could be the sea of ascention or the hills to enlightenment.  Or just a funny shaped rainbow to others, who know what idea's this may inspire,  we are yet to find out. 

PATHWAYS

Leonid Alfremov

Leonid Alfremov is a painter, he creates art with color therapy in mind.  Using impasto techniques.

His style is created around the idea of them being therapuetic for the viewer.  Using a pallette knife and thick paint he is not afraid of the paint, mixing it neat on the canvas.

http://afremov.com/index.php?

LUIS ROYO

Luis Royo- Fantasy illustrator.

I find his works really beautiful, they can be very erotic but can also empower the female form with a goddess warrior like essence. There is no mistaking his style for anyone else’s, each character he creates is bold and original. They are fierce yet sensual in every way, with a touch of mystery.

 I am a massive fan of anything to do with fantasy art, looking at the works of Julie Bell and Boris Vallego at the age of sixteen, I have continued to be inspired by any such artist or illustrator.

I have always enjoyed drawing and feel it will always be a big part of my artistic career.  Whether it be through planning, designing or illustrating.

 I love how an Artist shares a part of their world, by visually representing their fantasy thus inspiring the viewer to perceive it in their own personal way.  Although the Artist and viewer may never meet they still share something on a personal level.

“With such a wide range of products, Royo has become an authentic cultural phenomenon”.

“The success of Royo is due largely to the originality of his work, which has broken through traditional barriers and revolutionized the world of illustration”.

“Despite the consistent use of certain elements, Royo´s  style reflects a clear evolution. When reviewing his work chronologically, one can see a refinement in his style and the reinforcement of his theme, as each composition becomes even more poetic and graceful”.


http://www.royo-royo.com/luis-royo/bio/

Ink Pads and Boredom make fun...

I decided to play with my ink pad, and came up with some note with a bunch of finger prints, not sure where I am going with this but it makes for good experimentation which is what my brief is all about.  I find my self asking many questions and compelled just to try out new ideas and concepts.  Who knows what I may create from this one small idea....

I scanned one or two of my prints and put it into my photo editing software, with one click I have transformed this print into a different image all together.  This is the thing I love to do most of all, sometimes I can get lost in it to the point where I don't know whats happening. 

Dusk3

Dusk3, a photo by SWJ-ART on Flickr.

Dropping other colors onto this again transforms the whole thing again. As you can see my digital skills are very basic, I am going to make sure I develop these skills as I feel that I could do many things with digital software once I know how.

Dusk2

Dusk2, a photo by SWJ-ART on Flickr.

Again by tweeking it just slightly I have another idea. This one has influenced me into experimenting in another medium.