Self-Portrait 2012 by Michael Murtagh

Mike, I agree with you on self-portraits, but this, whether or not it provides you with a likeness that you yourself recognise, is a pretty damn good painting ... especially in a medium that you appear not to use as of choice. I am new to Painters Online and have not seen any of your stuff before today, but your portfolio makes a really good browse. Your pencil and pastel work is very accomplished, I think, and I particulalry like your life drawings.

For someone who doesn't know what he's doing with oils, you've painted a fine picture; I've drawn myself but never painted myself - found the drawing hard enough. And when you get to a certain age, the last thing you really want to do is study the face too closely....

If you don't know what you're doing with oils Mike then this is amazing... the lighting is great and it's a very effective portrait. Look forward to seeing the next one!

A great portrait with interesting light and shadow. Good tones in your complexion too.

Thanks so much to all of you for your encouraging comments about this and about my work in general. It's great to get positive feedback about work in a medium that I have used occasionally, and very tentatively, in the past but which is very definitely out of my comfort zone! I need to get some serious tuition in oils because, despite my battles with this medium, I really love the result when it works. I waited for a while before I put this in the gallery because I wasn't sure about it but, following your comments, I might try it out in a forthcoming exhibition. Thanks once again!

Wonderful portrait which captures character, a twinkle in the eye and seems to indicate a positive attitude to life. Don't know if I am right, but that is what comes over to me.

Thanks for the comment, Thea! You're right about the twinkle in the eye! I do tend towards a certain Celtic melancholy, though, but I don't mind if I appear more positive in my public images! I'm going to crack on with a figure painting in the same style using the same techniques because of the encouraging response to this little experiment. Thanks again!

I definately agree with you that self portraits are difficult Michael, any portrait can be difficult and can create a bit of a storm in a teacup! For explanation of that see comments on my pastel portrait of Kate Middleton, that definately raised tensions more than expected! This is rip-roaringly successfull self portrait, well done!