Self Portrait

Prompted to do a self portrait, decided to go head on using Polychromos pencils. See below for two short timelapse videos of me working on this over a couple of days.

When I started this, I didn’t have any artist inspiration other than the illustrator Zöe Barker, who I have discussed before, I didn't have any other reference points.

When I finished my drawing, I showed it to a studio colleague who said he saw some Peter Blake, David Hockney and Chuck Close vibes in it. So I figure if thats what he saw or felt, maybe I will use that to guide my artist research.

Peter Blake

Famous as Godfather of British Pop Art, Blake was known for his drawing, sculpting and painting inspired by films, comics and music he liked. I've taken a short dive into the imagery Blake produced and it's the Beatles screenprint that may have prompted the connection as the four members are all in monochrome.

(C) Peter Blake

David Hockney

I only ever knew Hockney for his more famous pop colour work but his drawings and self-portraits are amazing. Had a deep dive into his drawing work - he liked to draw people who were close to him, both family and friends, and drew them multiple times. He was also a prolific self-portraitist.

Hockney works with a variety of mediums and nice to see colour pencils are part of his arsenal.

Mother - colour pencil

Gregory - colour pencil

Celia - colour pencil

Self portrait

Self portrait

Self portrait

Self portrait

Interesting to note that in some of his work he chooses to leave elements out yet it is still so recognisable as a complete image. Think this shows his mastery as a draftsperson.

Chuck Close

Think my studio friend included Close not because my work resembled him but that he is a master of portraiture.

Close self portrait - ink and pencil 1973

Self portrait 1978 - white ink. Aquatint

Of the three references here, Hockney is by far my favourite and a direction I would like my work to follow. Feels much more 'from life' than either Blake or Close who are more deliberate.