Vision

"Vision with courage will shine even in the dark recess of the unknown."

Process: Chiaroscuro self portrait where the observation of the subject is done through "finger frames". It's meant to symbolize me navigating myself through the darkness of the unknown while preparing a complex implementation proposal during my work as a software architect. I wanted to use as little information as possible in order to reach a likeness but also add enough information on the hands so they don't look like gloves. I began to process by taking a low light reference picture in my home studio where I placed the camera between myself and the light source and used a remote trigger to take the photo. The canvas surface was sanded down using very fine sandpaper until I was happy with the smoothness followed by two layers of pink-red acrylic paint. After letting the underpainting dry for a day, I continued with drawing details using a graphite pencil and finished the first session after having the entire background painted and most of the initial shadow structure. In the second session I continued with more shadows and mid tones for the hands. In the third and final session I corrected any proportions I wasn't happy with and tightened some areas I deemed key. The final step applying the highlights. The painting process was done over three sessions in 3 different days, finished on the 13th of August 2024. Between the 17th and 20th of August there will be 3 layers of acrylic varnish applied to ensure its lasting archival properties.

Paints: Lefranc Bourgeois Paris Acrylic mixed on a glass pallet and applied with no extender or water added.

Canvas: 385 g/sqm Canvas frame.