I decided to join "Sketchy Self Portrait Thursday". It's a Flickr group run by Tina Mammoser. Doing a self-portrait every week sounds rather vain. But, I have to say, actually it is more an exercise in self-humiliation.
Why do artists do self-portraits? Isn't it rather vain and self-consumed?
- I admit that there are artists who are self-consumed and vain, but also contend that it is a not a necessary condition for all artists.
- Artists like to draw themselves because ...they will pose for themselves at a very cheap rate.
- ...the model is available when they are available.
- ...if it all goes horribly wrong they can keep it a secret.
- ...if it all goes horribly wrong it's only their own feelings they hurt.
How does it feel to draw yourself?
- When I draw myself I tend to think things like...wow, I am really looking older.
- ...wow, my face has gotten so much rounder.
- ...my eyes look very tired above those dark circles.
- When I look at the drawing, I think things like...wow, you have such a long way to go to get a likeness.
- ...you need a lot of practice girlfriend.
