Friday, February 23, 2007

Self Portrait


'Lucky Hat'............20x24".............oil on panel
I painted this self portrait (using photo reference and color sketch) shortly after my 39th birthday.
I find painting an occasional self portrait is a wonderful technical exercise as well as an insightful process that reflects my personal, physical and creative growth.
Check out Kee Won's truly exceptional self portraits on his blog (scroll down links bar on right).
Also check out Bill Moore's blog and browse through to view some remarkably candid watercolor self portraits. Enjoy.

15 comments:

Ron Morrison said...

Very nice, very Renoir- well, he liked hats!? For a long time I wouldn't even sign my paintings-a self portrait is beyond me.

William K. Moore said...

I agree with Ron ... very nice.. - no wait I disagree... it's much too nice for very nice.. it's extra very NICE! And it looks good too. Great post you have for us Jennifer.. letting us in on the life of an L.A. artist. The painting you sold I fortunately saw at the sanctuary before it was whisked away at auction. Perhaps bought by a Swiss couple? Glad to know I hang out with a fighter for the cause!

kee said...

Love this painting.
Beautiful subtle colors and nice treatment of brush stroke.

Jennifer McChristian said...

Thank you Ron...
My floppy green hat has provided ample shade for my head throughout numerous plein air excursions.

Jennifer McChristian said...

Thanks Bill.....you're too nice ;-)
I'm glad you enjoyed the regale.
There will be more, Moore.

Jennifer McChristian said...

Thank you Kee,
Your stunning and evocative figures and portraits are truly an inspiration to me.

Stefan Nuetzel said...

What can I say? This is beautiful painting. One can almost feel the air that is floating around you. The subtlety of colors and atmosphere. It is hard to believe that you have done it from photo reference. You have painted so many times outside, to know how light behaves. And by the way, the model looks also georgeous.

Robin Weiss said...

Great portrait! It has that Jennifer Glow.

Jennifer McChristian said...

Thank you Stefan for your generous and warm comments :-)
The more mileage I accumulate with painting from life, the more I can utilize the knowledge and experience to create a sense of 'liveliness' if working from photo reference.

Jennifer McChristian said...

Thanks Robin!
...that 'Glow' is from my plein air sunburn-I always forget to wear sunscreen.... yikes!

William K. Moore said...

Still lovely!

Michael Pieczonka said...

Jennifer, beautiful job. I have to agree with Stefan.. the sense of air in it it great. Very nice soft palette too... did you use your usual one to pull this off??

Jennifer McChristian said...

Bill,

.....still thankful!

Jennifer McChristian said...

Thank you Michael,

I do use a slightly different palette when painting studio pieces. It's basically my standard limited palette with a few extra colors like terra rosa, cobalt blue, thalo red rose and transparent red oxide.

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Portrait Painting