Untitled - Mixed Media (oil painting and digital drawing)

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_{Untitled

Mixed Media (oil painting and digital drawing)

Alejandra Her

2022}

This year feels like a year that hasn't quite begun. The first two months have already been rushed, with plans and debts, many joys and a few worries. Some frustration, perhaps, I still can't quite identify it. Repeating in my head what I just heard to convince myself that it is true. With paints, easel and the desire to paint.

It seems absurd if I think: look at that woman with so many worries, sitting there for hours, painting. It's what I do, it keeps me sane. My head is full of noise, my leg shakes incessantly even with the simplest tasks. But painting focuses me, balances me, I give it my time and it gives me peace. I don't rush it, I wait days while it dries. I don{t get frustrated if I don't get the results I expect. It is perhaps the only aspect of my life to which I give all my patience without anxiety.

This is how I celebrate myself with a self-portrait, I celebrate the painting by becoming part of it. It's a good time because I give it my time, which is basically all I have. And at the same time I give it to myself, because I feel like I stay alive doing it.

The Process

After so long without painting with oils I decided to go with a monochrome color scale, and perhaps if one day I dare, I will apply color with glazes.

First I drew on a grid, I wanted the proportions to be as faithful as possible, and I'm also trying new things. I always thought that the grid was too rigid, but the truth is that it helps a lot to maintain proportions, especially when you are starting out, or starting over as is my case.

Starting with the darker shades, I've added a little burnt sienna to the palette so it's not so cold, I use titanium white, carbon black and burnt sienna. And so I go, from the darkest to the lightest.

There are a total of three painting sessions, all lean, straight from the tube. I have not used any medium.