Finished my painting. I had actually done a study for it beforehand which is not my usual way of working.

A bunch of us used to sit around and play games which were tied in with the life of being an artist. One was: describe your technique or mission in one sentence. For me it has always been “The gooniness of flesh”.

I want to show the heat generated by the flesh, the blood coursing below the surface, the splotches, the bruises.

Probably couched in grandeur terms, this was one aspect of the power of the work by the tronie painters as well as the mannerists painters. Even Jenny Saville’s earlier work has elements of this beauty and power.

I often do self portraits as showing myself as I am does not offend nor disappoint me as it may were it someone else emerging from my brush.

It is a truth and truth for me is always beautiful.

It is 11×17 Watercolor on tan paper.

Quick Sketch Study

Always looking for interesting things to draw/paint. Email me if you think you have something.