It's been four years since I've painted a self portrait. This one is inspired by a small study I saw in what I think was Thouars, France, years ago. It was a portrait sketch of 2 monks in the late 1800's, one 3 quarter view, the other straight on. I loved the simplicity and sincerity of the painting. Here I have transferred a simple drawing, lightly massed in the shadow shapes, and began modeling in oil paint. One section organically progresses into another until the portrait is complete.
