Chris Beaven

I finished up the extra items in front of the mirror and currently I can’t see anything that I want to change but I haven’t sat with the painting for a bit.

I worked on the frame of the mirror today and part of the sink counter top, easy stuff on a Christmas morning.

I’m almost certain that this session is the last that I will work on the figure, but you never know I may see something I don’t like.

I worked more on the right hand today. It is at this point that I’m beginning to get into the very small details of the hand.

Can you tell that I’m running out of possible titles for this painting? I worked on the hand this session.

I finished the arm and worked my way down to start on the right hand. As I’ve said before hands are super complex and will take some time.

Luckily we have a generator but the island got a huge wind storm and our power is out.

I have finished the shirt and I don’t think I will go back to it. Now I’m beginning on the right arm starting at the top and moving down.

Today I worked on the shirt a bit more.

The shirt is looking much better after I’ve focused on it these past two sessions. Maybe one more session and I will be happy to leave it alone.

I moved back to the shirt today because it wasn’t looking solid.

This is going to seem obvious to most of you but I just realized that a mirror image is not like looking at another person.

My incision is not extreme enough to really impress anyone. Of course this was a major surgery, but it’s not gory enough to be shocking…

A flat expanse of skin with a lot of subtle transitions in value and color. I’m working hard to see the small changes and inject some interest in the texture.

I think I’m finished with the right hand, I’m not totally sure as I will review the photos in this post and have a lot of time looking at it while working on the rest of the painting.

I’m working with a tiny brush for the really small details such as the lines made by the folds of the skin.

Fingernails are one of the hardest things to paint and make them look authentic. Without careful study and focus on the drawing they can look odd.

I’m working very very slowly…

I’m working on the shirt now and there are all kinds of subtle folds that just need a slight value change to express.

I haven’t sent the last 10 or so posts to subscribers or social media because I’m working so slowly, but today I’m done with the head.

I did a bit more work on the top of the shirt and the edges of my hair. I think one more session and the head will be done.

I’ve moved on to the shirt but I’m not done with my portrait yet, I just need to do the shirt under the hair before I finish the hair.

For this session I worked on my neck. I’m very close to finishing the head of this self portrait. But there is still a long road ahead.

I have a lot of hair and so far I like the look best when I get in there and draw individual hairs.

Today I timed myself similar to how the models are timed at life drawing in an effort to lengthen my session.

Today I changed the shape of my head a lot after discovering some drawing issues.

I’ve been working on this painting now for 52 separate sessions and I’m happy to say that I’m still motivated to continue.

I’m in the process of repainting my mouth, the drawing was way off but I still have a lot to adjust before I’m happy with it.

I’m moving on to other parts of my portrait now. It is all about refining the features and drawing now.

I made some more drawing fixes to my nose but as I look at it again I’m not sure it is correct and will spend at least another session on it.