A year for self portraits. by Paul McClintock

This is a cropped detail of my first self portrait for 2009. It’s something I do occasionally, but I’ve never really completed one because I’ve never had a reason to. That, and I never thought anyone else would appreciate them. Basically I do self portraits as practise, using myself as the only willing model that has exactly the same amount of spare time (and patience) as I do.

Now I have a reason to complete one, although I’m not going to reveal what that reason is until I have finished. (ie. Once I know that I’m not going to abandon it half way through.)

So, to that end. I’m going to start many rough sketches, and will likely complete only one. I’ll also post some of my progress here, as I get closer to the self portrait that I think I’m capable of.

I didn’t actually look in a mirror or work from any kind of reference for this one. I’m wondering whether it would be better to continue working without reference to go ahead and take some photos. Comments welcome.