Drawing A Self-Portrait

Drawing a self-portrait is a great way to learn how to draw the human head.

• You never have to worry about making mistakes, because,
• you never have to worry about anyone judging your work, and
• you are always an available subject when you feel like drawing.

All through history artists like da Vinci and Rembrandt have drawn themselves, both for interest, and for the practice of drawing or painting the human head. Van Gogh did many self-portraits and could capture that "inner feeling" on paper.

Here is an interesting video montage by Philip Scott Johnson, of over 30 portraits that van Gogh did of himself.

Van Gogh wrote:

I purposely bought a mirror good enough to enable me to work from my image in default of a model, because" ... "if I can manage to paint the colouring of my own head, which is not to be done without some difficulty, I shall likewise be able to paint the heads of other good souls, men and women."

Source: Vincent van Gogh. Letter to Theo van Gogh. Written c. 16 September 1888 in Arles. Translated by Mrs. Johanna van Gogh-Bonder, edited by Robert Harrison, number 537. URL: http://webexhibits.org/vangogh/letter/18/537.htm/.)

There you have it from van Gogh himself. By capturing your own image (whether it be by painting or drawing) you will master the tools necessary to draw other people.

Video Teaching Book

Here is the "no-nonsense" eBook that will advance you further in your self-portraiture, as well as in your general drawing skills.

This eBook contains three videos. The first two videos are of me talking to you while I draw myself.

• The first video shows you how to locate and draw the main facial features.
• The second video shows you how to draw a self-portrait from beginning to end. (This entire video is done in real time.)
• The third video shows you many results of my portrait studies. I show my mistakes as well as my successful drawings ... which will hopefully give you an insight into my drawing methods.

I also discuss; setting up your drawing area, adjusting the lighting, choosing an appropriate mirror and drawing materials. There is nothing as instructive or as interesting as WATCHING someone draw in real time.

Clicking on either button above will take you to a checkout page where you can select your method of payment through PayPal.

You will receive clear and easy instructions to download your eBook. You will also receive an e-mail with further instructions. That's it! Safe! Simple!

Do You Have A Self-Portrait To Share?

In my eBook about self-portraits, I have shared some of my successes as well as my "almost" successful drawings as a learning tool to show you what could happen.

If you are willing to share your self-portraits, feel free to write as much as you want about the process; what you like about them and what you don't like, as well as what kind of pencils or paper you used, natural daytime lighting or artificial lighting at night, or anything else you find relevant to your drawing experience.

Perhaps it's just the eyes, or eyes, nose and mouth, or a completed final drawing. The choice is yours. You may also upload up to four images so you could take photos in four stages.

I will be looking forward to seeing your works of art.

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