This is the first time I've ever attempted to draw something while standing up. And while the drawing only took about five minutes, my arm thought it took at least thirty! Wow! It was burning like I was holding a twenty pound sketchbook instead of the little 8" X 5.5" Exacompta (very lightweight!) that I was using! Seriously, my arm was nearly shaking by the end. This could become a new workout routine!
I'm undecided on the painted version. I like it; but it's not what I had pictured in my head. No reason to get down though...this is only number three!
It's lovely, very crisp and clean. You must have a VERY steady hand, but oh, yes, I know what you mean. I've gotten plenty shaky, doing self portraits standing up!
ReplyDeleteONLY 5 MINUTES???? WOW!!!!! I love the colored version as well as your initial sketch. This is a GREAT PROJECT RAENA!! I can't wait to see what's next!
ReplyDeleteThat's great! Now you know what models go through! I've had several figure drawing classes where we had to model for each other, and also had my students do that, too. Five minutes feels like a very long time!
ReplyDelete5 minutes?!!! Wow!!! Talk about speed drawing, you really move like a Cheetah there. I don't care what you think Raena, that's an excellent work, and I like it A LOT!
ReplyDeleteSO...this is what you really look like :) I was starting to really see you as your profile graphic. I love how you did the highlights in your hair!
ReplyDeleteSerious concentration! I like the colours and the crisp confident drawing- one of the most useful pieces of advice I got at college was if you decide at the beginning how you want the outcome to look you both set yourself up for failure (because it never looks how you envisioned) and you limit your creativity and the possibilities. I always find it tempting to decide in advance tho!
ReplyDeleteI have never tried a self portrait before. This is really great!
ReplyDeleteFantastic ! And in only 5 minutes ! I wish I could do that ! I love it all: drawing, originality, colours... Glad to see you "for real"
ReplyDelete5 minutes - wow, excellent! I can see the concentration (or the strain of holding the sketchbook) in your face. I like the painted version very much! I think it's great. So..is it a good likeness? Only no. 3 - no. 100 will be phenomenal. [ps - I haven't forgotten 2nfro, no I haven't. Had to rework the design. Time is continuing to be hard to find. This has got to change. Long weekend, this weekend.]
ReplyDeleteWow, it definitely *looks* as if it had taken 30 minutes! Great drawing! Did you do this standing in front of a large mirror? I also like the color version a lot.
ReplyDeleteDo your drawings/paintings usually turn our how you had them in mind? Because mine don't per default (which is by no means a bad thing - at least not always). Especially watercolors have a tendency to challenge my little neurotic inner perfectionist! They just seem to do what they want... :)
Oh, I love, love, love this! Can't wait to keep following your self-portraits! That gives me an idea to do a self-portrait as one of my 100. Best wishes to you in this enedeavor! And kudos to you for drawing out in public! This is a block for me too! Gotta figure out the whole watercolor supply thing--I long to paint outdoors! You go girl!
ReplyDeleteFabulous!! What a great project and lovely painting. I will follow you closely for 100 - and maybe get inspired to try one!
ReplyDeletegreat slef portrait... cant believe it took 5 mintues. wonderful!
ReplyDeleteraena this is great! I love the watercolor. nice colors
ReplyDeleteExcellent work! I like the watercolor best but both are very good.
ReplyDeleteYou did super here! I tried drawing a generic face the other day but finally resorted to looking in the mirror. Even then, I could not draw a nose to look right! It was not a good drawing and then I tried to paint it and made it even worse. That is one that hit the trash bucket. I don't do that very often but MY sketch did not come anywhere near to yours and deserved to be trashed. Yours is great both the drawing and the watercolor!
ReplyDeleteReally good and it is the third one! And only 5mn! I can't wait to see the next one.
ReplyDeleteReally, really nice! Next time sit down! LOL!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed! I think the painted version is great.
ReplyDeleteThank you all very, very much. I've found myself smiling a lot today. I think I'm actually proud of myself! And yes, Dan and Leona, I think this is a pretty good likeness. I'll post an actual picture of me soon, so you can see. Again, thanks for all your comments!
ReplyDeleteWow - this is so good, Raena and very quick too.
ReplyDeleteI'm just blown away by this, Raena. It's amazing, and I hope you feel really good about it. The lines and proportion are just right, and your painting is wonderful. Well done!! nancy
ReplyDeleteI love this! Thanks for the inspiration. I try to finish each of my journals with a final self-portrait and the page is awaiting in my current journal. You've inspired me to do a standing up one too. I'm actually quite used to sketching standing up, which is how I do about half of my sketching. I'm actually standing at the computer right now too. My back gets funky if I sit too much so I've gotten used to standing and holding my sketchbook.
ReplyDeleteGreat start on the 100! I like the gardening one ....I have 6 packs of tomatoes to plant.
ReplyDeleteyay for you, Raena!! Tackling yourself posing in a mirror has to be very difficult, what with constant movement. And I agree with everyone else, what you've done in 5 minutes is incredible. Sigh. After five minutes, I'd still be at the very loosely drawn restatement line stage. I guess this means you can go out in public and sketch people with ease without them knowing about it. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, 5 minutes??!!! This is FANTASTIC!!
ReplyDeleteI think it's great and I'm impressed by your ambition and optimism :) Keep at it!
ReplyDeleteIt's awesome! I love your expression, the concentration, how it shows that you're searching and observing! Fantastic work!
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to sometimes draw with your left hand if you're going to do this as a workout routine ^^!
Your sketches "in public" are great - congratulations for this breakthrough! I'm jealous, I've not been able to get myself to do that yet. But your post is very inspiring and might give me courage : ) !
What a fantastic, confident portrait. I really like your finished painted piece, I particularly think the treatment you have given your hair, it's excellent. It's great to see the before sketch too. And the concentration on your face... I'd be chuffed to bits with myself if I thought I could produce a self-portrait this good!
ReplyDeleteHi Raena, as always I enjoy a lot when there are both version. Such a good portrait!
ReplyDeleteLove and chocolate, Marina in Switzerland
I really like them both!
ReplyDeleteFunny, I did a sketch just like this a few years back:
ReplyDeletehttp://sketchhatch.blogspot.com/2008/07/happy-n-birthday.html
Yours is great, BTW!