Autoritratto (self portrait)

[David Kassan]

Thanks!

I guess I think of a painting in two parts, first the concept (the why) and than technique (the how). I guess everyone does that. Anyway,
for the concept.:

Having been able to study Baroque and Rennaissance works for 2 months I was blown away by composition. I try to work that out first, I wanted to split the work in 2 with a strong diagonal- having one full and the other empty. Also searching for a downward gaze and head tilt that suggested another diagonal that is unseen and split the main diagonal in half. So basically an X. I know a lot of thinking for a small painting. After being very inspired by self portrait paintings by Velasquez(uffizi), Ghirlandaio (s.maria novella, Florence), and Rembrandt. I noticed that they were mostly filled with self confidence staring at the viewer. Having the exactly opposite experience lately with painting. I feel that the more I learn the less self confidence I have. This time is also a crossroad for me. Which is very frustrating and confusing. Mainly get a real job and make money or be a painter (being poor) where only a very small amount of artists succeed. So I really wanted to get that into it. I guess it's painting as shrink.

As for technique: from life (I try to only work from life) 2 mirrors for doing the eyes: one I'm looking down into, in which I can see the other in the mirror which is right next to the canvas on the easel. I don't use mediums, only paint. I love Vasari oil colors(they are like buttah) and only use them except for few impulse buys at New York Central's wall of Williamsburg colors. My colors are a pretty basic flesh palette. zinc-titanium white, Prussian blue, sometimes manganese blue, raw sienna, yellow ochre, brilliant yellow, vermilion, ruby red, aliz crimson, scarlet sienna, burnt sienna, raw umber, burnt umber, and sometimes viridian.

My studies in Italy were amazing experience. I posted a good amount of my sketches and my journal (an entry for day of the trip) on my my site http://davidkassan.com/italy and http://dubscience.com/italy Please have a look.

Thanks again,
David

[Kimberly Dow]

Good luck at the show - that is a magnificent portrait - you should be very proud.

[Timothy Mensching]

...

[Cynthia Daniel]

Dave,

Congratulations! Since you will be at the show, there is a dinner reservation Thursday evening April 29 for Stroke of Genius members and Forum members if you would like to join us. It's at McCormick & Schmick's, which is in the hotel at 8:15pm. Let me know so I can change the number of reservations if necessary.

[David Kassan]

Tim, I think I remember you. Were you with some other people??? How is it going?

The Cropsey grant was through the National Academy of Design, where I paint each day.

[Elizabeth Schott]

Great news David! Somehow I am not at all surprised.

[Linda Nelson]

Wow.

What a moving portrait.

The execution is exquisite, but the composition and expression is so engaging! I just can't stop looking at it! Best of luck with the competition!

Linda

[David Kassan]

Just found that the links I posted earlier, weren't working so I fixed them.http://davidkassan.com/italy and http://dubscience.com/italy

Sorry 'bout that

David

[Linda Brandon]

Dave, this is a beautiful and moving portrait, really extraordinary.

Do you like using a wood ground in general? Is this gesso over wood?

[David Kassan]

This was on a wood panel I bought at soho art materials on grand street. They are great. I gessoed it 3 times, so its pretty smooth. However this painting is over four other paintings that were each sanded smooth. I think I sanded more on this panel than painted. So I guess in a way it might be considered an oil ground.