Study for a Self Portrait

I wouldn’t mess with this chick would you?  Did this sketch while looking in a mirror. It was the initial step for an oils painting.

Contrary to the look on my face, I really was enjoying myself! Artist often use themselves as a subject matter. The benefit of doing a self-portrait as apposed to a portrait of someone else is freedom from pleasing the subject. When I’m painting a person there is always a the temptation to put the person in a better light; hide those wrinkles and double chin.