The Power Of Practicing Self Portraits

Welcome to Draw Tip Tuesday!
Doing self portraits regularly has many benefits.
Every time you draw your own face, it will turn out differently on the paper. That's because you look and feel different each time, and you will see yourself differently. You are not just looking at your reflection, but as you draw it, you can do a bit of self reflecting. It's great to take this moment to yourself, for yourself and about yourself - and to treat yourself to a moment of doing what you love: drawing.
You always have your model available, all you need is a reflective surface. And the pressure to draw likeness, or even get a bit of a flattering image on the paper isn't as high as when you would draw someone else. By doing self portraits regularly, you get more familiar with the features and proportions of the human face, ad with that it becomes a little less daunting to draw other people.
Grab a favorite art tool, take a good look at your face in the mirror and draw. See how you feel before, during and after the process.
Materials used in this video:
-Hahnemühle Nostalgie sketchbook, size A5
-Lyra Color Giant colored pencil
-Daniel Smith Watercolors Quinacridone Rose and New Gamboge (warm yellow)
-Da Vinci Harbin Kolinsky watercolor brush no.10
Copyrights Koosje Koene
www.koosjekoene.com

[@WorldWideWebObserver]

Beautiful self-portrait! Thanks for sharing.🌻

[@patriciatatich3014]

A wake-up portrait..how brave and beautiful.😊

[@visualarthistory]

Thank you, I don't like looking at myself but I did a self portrait today on a zoom meeting. Your draw tip Tuesdays rock.

[@barbaramccoy3592]

I love the spirit of this- calm and lovely. Thank you.

[@dorisw2507]

That's so cute, non existing family members!

[@juliamierzejewska5446]

Your videos inspired me to start a sketchbook ( a small one) I've started in JUne and I am hoping to finish my first sketchbook in a couple of days! I already have one portrait of each member of my family, that don't look like them, and one autoportrait wich looks kind of like me but a bit like a frog princess, and I quite like it! Thanks for inspiration!!!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Yay for frog princess! And for starting (and finishing) your sketchbook! Keep going.

[@robynbeattie7185]

I’m about to get a line on the Bingo card you kindly shared this week - to get Bingo, I have to draw myself! Good timing that this came up on my feed. 🤞for tomorrow 😂

[@KoosjeKoene]

Nice work! Perfect timing.

[@MarigoldMeredith]

I’m in a very stressful phase of life, but I know it will pass, and this video has me wondering if doing a daily self portrait might be good for me; I could concentrate on something other than my worries for a moment, but also have a record of this time, through art. Something I could continue when things are brighter, and then be able to see a difference. Thank you for your inspiring videos 🌼

[@KoosjeKoene]

I think that’s a brilliant idea. Art heals and I think It will be a great creative therapy. Plus you’re starting a habit that can be pursued whatever phase in your life you are. It will bring you so much more than just the drawings.

[@vblessystella]

Thanks Koosje! You make it look easier to push boundaries. Thanks for the encouragement .

[@KoosjeKoene]

You are so welcome!

[@monikozi]

Oh, thank you so much for sharing this. I was so consumed by the fact that my selfies don't look exactly like me. I keep forgetting that I have a camera for that. But it is so inspiring to hear you that your portraits (self or others) don't always look like the model, but you know who that is. Now I see me in the selfies I did so far. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Angela-jy8um]

I like draw tip tuesday! thanks!

[@byMarceloENG]

LOVE the video and, of course, love the self portrait. Your voice is so calm and the video is really relaxing... great! Thank you for sharing!

[@PaulWalesArt]

I LOVE this!!!! As I've gotten older I've become even more rigorous about avoiding my face in the mirror, mostly because I don't recognize myself anymore.... which is a whole psychological issue I know! (LOL)... Anyway ... I'm going to start doing this not only as an artistic learning experience but also as an opportunity to better know and appreciate the physical aspect of myself. Thank you for sharing this technique and demonstrating the power of capturing an intimate and personal moment.

[@KoosjeKoene]

You are so welcome!

[@firdyk]

Thank you for the encouragement to draw😊

[@tamiam484]

I love that you use color in your portraits and drawings instead of black for the outlines and fine lines. It has inspired me to do the same.

[@vene_unsweetened]

I struggle with self-portraits, so this is very useful. The watercolor really added some ‘magic’ to it. ✨

[@CreatingCuteArt]

Your videos always motivate me to grab my sketchbook, thank you 😊🥰😘

[@suzannestevens8257]

Thank you so much for your enthusiasm! It's helping me very much.

[@junemaguire9988]

Love all the same colour painting.

[@melstill]

I recently decided to try my hand at drawing. The reasons are unimportant and not to worry, I don't blame you. So far I show little talent at it but I credit you that I keep trying. You encourage me that the effort is worth my time and I have seen glimmers of improvement. So, thank you for making your videos and I'll keep watching.

[@KoosjeKoene]

I am so glad you started, and jeep going, Mel! Taking that time and effort is so important and I hope you enjoy it. Even when the results aren’t always what you hoped. But one main result of drawing and creativity in general that it makes you a happier person. And that is absolutely worth all the investments you make, right?

[@elsagrace3893]

There is no talent. It’s a skill to be acquired by study and practice. Must. Keep. Going.

[@mirg4240]

Dear Koosje. Thank you for reminding me what I know but tend to forget. Drawing people is hard because is difficult to get the features right. It’s good to hear someone say it out loud. Love from a summery Lisboa.

[@JF-kv1gm]

This is so inspiring! Wonderful portrait...it's you!! Thanks so much. Intending to draw later with Danny...may see you there!!

[@cheryls_creative7048]

Thanks for the inspiration! I really enjoy your videos and learn something new every time!

[@darleneelizabethanna]

I was just cruising KZbin and stumbled across your video… Wow! Pretty amazing! You’re very good!I love drawing a female face and never thought of drawing mine because like other people, I don’t like looking at myself but you got me thinking lol. Thank you for sharing❤️

[@pastichehaus]

I love how this turned out. You’ve inspired me to try.❤ You’re unbelievably talented. 😊

[@mylk5423]

Thank you kindly for the inspiration of every video. The learning process experienced from the draw-tips-Tuesday lessons is fun, relaxing, and instructive. Wish you all the best.

[@SC4RArt]

This is sooo amazing! Beautiful artwork, I Absolutely love it!!! 💛💖💛

[@huburgalula4031]

I can't take the pressure of doing other's portraits. Once i drew my cousin and he said "you made my nose look big!" and i was hurt so i yelled back, "well your nose IS big!"

[@littleerichsenstudios2292]

:-)))

[@patriciatatich3014]

Wow….🤭 hope all is patched up with your cousin.

[@KoosjeKoene]

Hah that’s what he may have deserved. Next time anyone comments like that, hand over your sketchbook to them and tell the to do it themselves. See how that turns out hahah

[@DerekShinglesCoops]

Great video as ever. Have tried the occasional self portrait before, but it was great to be motivated once more. In the three quick studies I did, the subject (me apparently 😅😉) got progressively older looking! 🥴 All good practice though! Thank you again for another great video. 😁

[@weekend_art]

Generally, I believe looking at yourself in a mirror for a long time and trying to learn your features is extremely therapeutic. I taught same when I was a wannabe makeup artist and helped people to learn doing makeup.

[@heidifalzon1479]

Reminds me of my mum this is a great idea I stopped sketching years ago I’m an artist I just paint now but I’m. Feeling uninspired my art feels like it’s getting worse my ideas have faded I think it’s because I feel dead inside .... sadly .. keep going.

[@raymondvalera1765]

.. and I love the way you give me that stare ;)

[@maggiefreeman6513]

Definitely going to do this. Thanks for a great video

[@KoosjeKoene]

Have fun!

[@Toomuchmetal12]

When I heard the dog in the background I paused thinking it was my dog 5:58

[@MSKCCooke]

This is awesome! Really nicely done.. I love the idea of non-existing family members too. I am curious, and forgive me if you've said it a hundred times over the years, but how many sketch books do you have going at the same time?

[@mixeduppaint3816]

💚🙂

[@pikolowet]

I love you, but I honeslty can hear onlyhalf of what you say because the video is so so quiet