"Tread Carefully"
19.5" x 23.5"
Chalk pastel 2019
This is the first true self portrait I have done. My first self portrait was a troupe l'oeil style piece in 2011 focussing on symbolism. In contrast, this is a very realistic portrayal.
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Tread Carefully is a chalk pastel and charcoal self portrait completed using photographs and mirrors. My drawings begin with a concept I hope to convey to viewers, which is turned into a detailed line drawing that is lightly transferred onto Arches 90lb hot press paper. The layers of chalk pastel in the face are built up while the black background remains white. The final step is to add the black background using a mix of chalk pastel and charcoal. While this last step is being completed, the final look of the drawing finally comes through and grounds the work. The process of waiting until the end to truly see the results complement the subject matter of vulnerability, honesty, and uncertainty.
Original NFS