Linking up with Nicole's Friday Face Off Challenge and Art for Fun Friday hosted by the lovely Gillena.
Photo Reference:
hello it's me
nice to see you 😊
I started sketching for the Portrait Challenge this last week and I truly learned so much.
First drawing
I did a quick sketch, a sketch with more time put into it and also I traced my self in the final piece so I can learn what I am doing wrong. My sketches do not look like me. LOL They look lovely but they don't look like me.
Quick sketches
The traced one below looks a little more like me. I learned a lot and with each line I almost cried. I've been through a lot the past four years and I am grateful for each pencil stroke. I thank you Nicole for inspiring me and for hosting this challenge because I am more appreciative of myself through this challenge. I will continue to work on self portraits because I do find it such a great challenge to learn and grow. I would like to work on a self portrait with paints as well.
I traced the outline of this one:
As I traced this I learned about placement of my eyes, width of my nose and I know I would like to work on shading more. I am grateful for this challenge because I learned alot and I know that I need to keep practicing to keep growing.
I have so much more learning to do. Portraits are not my usual comfort zone. Landscapes and abstract and vases with flowers are my thing. So this was truly a challenge. I had a lot of fun and a lot of learning happening. I will continue to work on my portraits and continue to challenge myself.
Thank you all so much for your visit and your comments mean so much to me. Thank you Gillena and Nicole for your amazing challenges and blog hops. It's a beautiful art community.
I am truly grateful!
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Previous Posts
It is lovely to see your progression as you did these drawings. The last one does look a lot like you. Although I could see it was you in all of them.
ReplyDeleteThank you Gene! I appreciate it! Have a lovely weekend!
DeleteLovely sketches, Maria
ReplyDeleteHappy you dropped by my blog
Much♡love
Thank you Gillena! Have a lovely Friday and a wonderful weekend!
Delete...being truly grateful is the goal!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tom! have a lovely weekend!
DeleteLovely self portrait!
ReplyDeleteThank you Christine!
DeleteI like all your self-portraits -- each one definitely catches the charm of your head tilt and smile! I also enjoyed your sketchbook flip-through video -- "Eat the Cake!" -- I agree, lol!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Debra! Have a lovely weekend!
DeleteAwesome self portraits ~ I didn't do one ~ sigh ~ hugs,
ReplyDeletehttps://anartistreflects.com
it's okay! Thank you so much, have a lovely weekend!
DeleteMy dear friend. I am taken with your post and your amazingly beautiful art. I'm on the verge of some tears, knowing that this was truly a challenge for you that brought out some good things. One being that you appreciate yourself more. It is true. Drawing ones own face allows us to see who we are. We miss so much of ourselves daily just looking in the mirror. I see you in each and every portrait. The tilt of your head, the love in your eyes and that genuine little smile that is filled with inner beauty, reflecting your true character. Please stop by my blog For Sunday in the art room I just may have something for you there. Thank you so much for sharing with FFO and have the best weekend ever.
ReplyDeleteMy wonderful friend Nicole, thank you again for this challenge. This challenge brought me a lot of wonderful things. We do miss our selves daily for sure. Thank you from my heart. You are incredible inside and out. Have the best weekend ever as well my friend. Much love and hugs and I will definitely come by on your beautiful blog on Sunday.
DeleteI like all of them but the last one the most! Very well done! I loved the challenge!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jeanie! Have a wonderful weekend!
DeleteIt's lovely that you appreciate yourself more after drawing your self-portraits. Each one is charming in its own way. Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! Have a wonderful weekend!
DeleteAll of these drawings are very special, Maria. I agree with you, I'd love to do more shading as well. Portraits in general are not my forte, so this was a real challenge for me as well. But as you said, it's fantastic to learn and grow with that kind of challenge.
ReplyDeleteTrue indeed Carola! growth is wonderful! It is amazing to try drawing something new. We learn so much. Have a lovely weekend!
DeleteNo question it's the Holly Jolly Season.
ReplyDeleteyes! Holly Jolly! Bring it on! :)
DeleteYou did a fabulous job Maria. It looks awesome! Happy end of November and weekend. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteThank you Erika! Have a lovely weekend!
DeleteLove each of your self portraits!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Annie! Have a lovely weekend!
DeleteI think I like the first self portrait the best. You said it was a quick one but honestly, I believe you captured yourself in it. Nicely done! I love these challenges!
ReplyDeletethank you so much! have a lovely Sunday!
DeleteStunning artwork... thank you too for leaving a nice comment. Happy MosaicMonday 🌟
ReplyDeletethank you! have a lovely weekend!
DeleteOh, I am late!!! But I "caught" you and your great studies!
ReplyDeleteBig WOW on the last one! Great portrait!
And thanks again for sharing your life, too!
thank you Iris! have a wonderful weekend!
DeleteYou should be incredibly proud of this work. It takes huge bravery to draw a self-portrait, let alone share the process and the learning curve. It's so insightful that tracing helped you understand the placement of your eyes and the width of your nose, that kind of direct learning is priceless. I love that you found appreciation for yourself through the challenge, using each pencil stroke as a moment of gratitude. You've already grown so much! Keep going with those portraits.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Melody! Indeed I learned so much. I Love learning new things about drawing and about myself too. :) Have a wonderful Sunday Melody! Thank you!
DeleteMe encantan. Unos autorretrato magnÃficos, te aplaudo. Besitos
ReplyDeletethank you! Have a lovely Sunday!
DeleteDear Maria, your drawings are great, and I can see how much you've improved with each attempt. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to participate in the challenge, but I know from previous attempts how difficult self-portraits are. The last drawing looks remarkably similar to your photo—you did a wonderful job!
ReplyDeleteAll the best and a wonderful Advent season 🕯️✨❣️, Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2025/11/reisebericht-2025-toronto.html
Thank you so much! I appreciate it. All the best to you and have a wonderful advent season as well. 🕯️ ❤️
DeleteYou've done very well with your portraits and I can see improvements. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
Delete