Like father, like son, kinda
My father has been drawing self portraits every day for ages. He just sent me a day's output, drawn looking down into a mirror lying flat on the table.
In the accompanying note, he says:
"Doing things in pen is very nerve wracking as if you get one line wrong the whole thing is ruined. This makes you concentrate so you tend to get a picture that is more accurate than otherwise. I n each case I started with the left eye which is the only one I can see out of (the other has been blind all my life), I did the last two in the afternoon, I had to wear my glasses (as you can see in the pics) because after lunch I am unable to see without them, (except all blurry)."
It is sad that I didn't know about my father's blindness until this letter. He sends these sorts of little packages to me every year or so. They are more or less the only contact I have with him any more. My parents were divorced when I was about three so I don't know a lot about him.
His drawings are so similar. He has really developed his ability to draw himself down to an almost mechanical science.
He is pretty unflinching in his scrutiny too.
I decided to try my hand at the same experiment. It is a very unflattering, through-the-nose-hairs sort of perspective on oneself. The last time I saw my father, about three years ago for a couple of hours in London, we were walking down the street and he said to me, "Is that your stomach?" As a result, I made my head very thin in this first drawing.
More accurate, less paranoid view of self.
Third go: scary, pig-snoutish.
I tried a version with my glasses and could barely see my reflection through them. The resulting drawing looks a lot like Ozzie Osbourne's loutish son, Jack.
A record of my exploration into all aspects of drawing, illustrated journaling, creativity, and the inspiring aspects of art. By the author of "Everyday Matters," "The Creative License", and "An Illustrated Life" and other books.
Comments
Danny thanks. I needed a good chuckle today. Geeze I hate nose hair in a man.
One of my kids got married and the only thing I remember about the wedding is that the preacher had nose hair like a Fuller Brush.
I like your dad's attitude towards sketching. He's great.
Posted by: Jan Caldwell | July 15, 2006 11:31 AM
Your father and I are kindred spirits it seems. Blind in my right eye since birth I have started self portraits in a similar fashion as far back as I remember.
Posted by: melissa w | July 17, 2006 11:19 AM
Just looking at yourself in a mirror on a table (after age 30) is probably the scariest thing you can do to your ego.
To sit down and peruse yourself that way for the time it takes to draw the image has to be the epitome of bravery.
You have great genes.
Posted by: Doris Mouton | July 18, 2006 11:09 AM
Does your father know how talented he is? If not, why not? Those drawings of his are not amateurish at all. Maybe you should encourage him to do more?
Posted by: Natalie | July 18, 2006 03:09 PM
Danny, I think you look more like Dwight in the sitcom The Office in your last sketch than the Osborne kid. Either way, nice comparisons. Have you two drawn together? A father/son sketchcrawl.
Posted by: Andy | July 18, 2006 05:55 PM
Thought you might be interested in the article on drawing-- and how the "common man" doesn't anymore-- in today's (July 19th) New York Times, Arts section.
Thanks for sharing your drawings-- and enthusiasm for it.
Posted by: lisa | July 19, 2006 11:49 AM
I got here through browsing. You father draws magnificently well, he must have been an artist by profession, I guess. Don't think bad of me if it is something I should know, I have not rad your entire blog, just this entry and there are mnay more to read... I think you should try to get in conctact with him personally, regardless. He is sending smoke signals.
GoodLuck
Posted by: Walkiria | July 20, 2006 11:07 PM
A human face as viewed by a crossword puzzle.
Posted by: Susanna | July 25, 2006 10:36 AM
the drawings from your dad moved me a lot. He probably was looking at you while he was making them..Great blog Danny and great books you have written!
Posted by: the drawing woman | August 18, 2006 05:32 AM
Glad to see I'm not the only one who draws myself differently every time! Heh, heh,.....no really I can tell the portraits of yourself are you!...except the third one!
Your dad really has it going doesn't he! Interesting to see the differences in style the two of you have....post more of his pictures in the future, okay?
Posted by: Monica | September 20, 2006 12:21 PM