Self portraits are good for you!

The first time you draw yourself leads to an enlightening and liberation of sorts…. The first time you sketch or paint your face it makes you feel self-conscious. No denying it. It’s actually quite uncomfortable. Being forced to look and observe intensely your features, skin, hair can be quite overwhelming. All insecurities bubble to the surface, the drunk monkeys in your head go wild and whisper their taunts to you. Why would you do it? Because it is really quite liberating. Once you get yourself set up with a paper and pencil, or pen, or paint and start looking into the mirror at your reflection, you stop looking at YOU and start looking at shapes, colours, textures. It is weirdly quite fascinating and freeing. You transcend the monkeys and become immersed in the process. It is enlightening, confidence-boosting, educational, dare I say FUN! As a make-up artist we need to understand face structures, the contours, the bones, the eyes. The more you look and see, the better your work will become. So, for your daily practice in your sketchbook if you are stuck for inspiration, no excuses. There is always you. To help you get started here is a link to kick-start your interest in drawing. Why it is so important.

The first time you sketch or paint your face it makes you feel self-conscious. No denying it. It’s actually quite uncomfortable. Being forced to look and observe intensely your features, skin, hair can be quite overwhelming. All insecurities bubble to the surface, the drunk monkeys in your head go wild and whisper their taunts to you. Why would you do it? Because it is really quite liberating. Once you get yourself set up with a paper and pencil, or pen, or paint and start looking into the mirror at your reflection, you stop looking at YOU and start looking at shapes, colours, textures. It is weirdly quite fascinating and freeing. You transcend the monkeys and become immersed in the process. It is enlightening, confidence-boosting, educational, dare I say FUN! As a make-up artist we need to understand face structures, the contours, the bones, the eyes. The more you look and see, the better your work will become. So, for your daily practice in your sketchbook if you are stuck for inspiration, no excuses. There is always you. To help you get started here is a link to kick-start your interest in drawing. Why it is so important.