PAINT AT HOME
Self-Portraiture
T
he self-portrait is a popular
challenge for some artists and
central to the creative practice
of others. Whether depicting
themselves with brutal honesty like
Egon Schiele or hiding in larger,
narrative paintings like Peter Paul
Rubens, the genre of self-portraiture
provides an artist with a unique
opportunity to evaluate who they are,
convey a message or story, reflect on
identity or mortality, or to simply play
with new ideas, tools and materials.
For many of us, a self-portrait
occurs when there are no other
models around. With a well-placed
mirror and the bravery to depict what
is presented in front of us, we are
gifted a number of unique challenges,
rarely found in other forms of painting.
Should you flatter yourself? Should
you copy what you see on the surface
or look beneath? Should you try and
show personality? Should you hold
a particular expression? Questions
such as these are why the likes of
Rembrandt, Freud and Kahlo have
turned to self-portraiture as a form
of self-expression and discovery.
My own journey with self-portraiture
started at school, when I would paint
and draw self-portraits regularly.
Since then, I have made a point of
producing at least one self-portrait a
year, in any medium or style I wish
and now have a collection spanning
the last 15 years.
Over the years, I’ve painted myself
at different landmarks in my life, such
as becoming a full-time artist or
surrounded by my new family, as well
asalsojustcreatingself-portraits
fora simplevisualchallenge,such
asonemadeinhomagetoa Freud
exhibitionI enjoyedandonebecause
I simplylikedmynewglasses.Quick paintings of your own likeness are a great
chance to experiment, says PETER KEEGAN
I find it fascinating to see not only
how my style and approach has
changed and developed, but also how
I’ve changed physically over the years.
Once you get beyond the despair of
age, wrinkles or hair loss, they
become signposts along your creative
journey and go some way to
explaining your own unique story as
an artist. Try not to worry about your
appearance and paint something
you’re not. Be honest and paint what
you see – it will look a lot more
authentic and sincere.
Self-portraiture can be a time to try
a different method or approach, like a
new set of colours or a different style.
I actually ended up painting two
portraits,onesombre,half-length
portraitandtheothera smaller,
quickerstudywhichI willshowyou
howI paintedbelow.
http://www.peterkeegan.com1
Beginbyapplyinga washof
dilutedYellowOchretothepaper
usinga largeflathogbrushtotake
awaytheintensityofthewhitesurface.
Don’tpaintallthewaytotheedgesas
it keepsthemarksvisibleattheend.2
Usea dilutedmixofCadmium
RedandIvoryBlackwitha size 2
filbertbrushtomapoutthemajor
shapes.Avoidlookingfordetailhere
andfocusonjustthemain,structural
frameofthehead.Drawingonlywith
straightlinescanhelpthis.
It is easiertopainta faceinwarm
light.Usea warmbulbtoprovidean
excellentrangeofhighlights,mid-
tonesandshadowsacrosstheface.#PaintAtHome
CHALLENGE 2
AQuickSelf-Portrait
Grabamirrorand
prepareto bebrave...1 2
OPPOSITE PAGE
Peter Keegan, Self-
Portrait study, oil
on paper, 40x50cm