Original Date: Feb 7, 2018

Today’s project was a portrait of Ellessia. She has been asking me to do one- so I took up the challenge.

It has been about 20 years since I have done a portrait! And the really funny thing about this one is that it felt like I was doing a self portrait! Ellessia reminds me of myself 20 years ago! The profile, the glasses, the hair, it all felt so familiar! Everyone has told me she looks like me, and I have agreed, but now I really have a good sense of that after working on this portrait.

I could be happier with this one… It was at a really good place, and then we had a discussion about adding the highlights that are in the photo I worked from. Bad idea! Sometimes you just have to leave something out that is in the original photo. I may do a drawing of this same image, as I feel that is a better place for my portraiture than painting. But it was an interesting study. I think she wants to hang this one up in her room, so I am glad for that.

Here is a side by side: On the left- Ellessia today: On the right, a self portrait from College- over 20 years ago!