Self portrait - where to look for an inspiration

[Painting_addicted]

Hello, I am crazy about painting self-portraits, but all I paint seems to be missing real life behind my image. Does anybody know what is they key to successful self-portrait? I wish I painted them just the way other great artists do!

I am looking forward to your comments.

Open your mind. Let the harmonious reflection of nature moves our hearts.

Art Prints & Art Posters (http://www.printsplusposters.com)

[MrEshovel]

the best way to get more realistic is to get a mirror, and draw what you see not what you think you see... you might have heard that all before, but instead of blocking in where u think ur hair falls, do the small sections and look back and forth each stroke. that and practice and experiment, it could look flat or un realistic cause ur using one color for the whole face, theres blues greens reds pinks yellows browns, almost every color . so 3experiment. just dew it you know, do 50 thousand portraits till you get happy and, when you see something in a picture you dont like FIX it, dont just say ok ill do it differently on the next one cause you dont get the practice of actulay doing it right, you dig? anyways keep it werkin man!

[panchosimpson]

MrEshovel is right about using the mirror and practicing...also, since your thread title asks for inspiration, i would recommend looking at Anders Zorn's self portraits, maybe even copying one, his work is amazing and sure to inspire you!

http://www.worldofportraitpainting.com/commentary-sanden/zorn.htm

[enelrad]

www.myspace.com/comewithsteve
(www.myspace.com/comewithsteve)
<3 <3 <3 I LOVE HIS WORK.

OHYES,
forgot this one too :
http://www.bookoffaces.com/wst_page11.html
watch the videos,you'll definitely get inspired.

[Farvus]

Look for inspiration in the mirror.

[arttorney]

Get a load of this thread. Over 330 CA.org people did self portraits on the same day. There were many different approaches and media.
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=80183

[Craig D]

Does no one else think that the post may have more to
do with the ad for prints and posters than with self portraits????