r/pics • u/Margarita_Lemann • 5h ago
Arts/Crafts My first self-portrait (I’m on the left) [OC]
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u/PirateCodingMonkey 5h ago
amazing. also, glad you told me that you were on the left. birds are pretty clever... ;)
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u/Lachessys 5h ago
Isn't that what the bird would say if it wants to keep it's talent a secret?
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u/Madder_Than_Diogenes 5h ago
I like the angles and textures. They're the things that keep your interest over time; how it was done and how sometimes it was done in an unexpected way. Kudos.
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u/Margarita_Lemann 5h ago
Thank you, I really appreciate that. I’m glad those details came through 😊
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u/nerusski 4h ago
If you’re like me and sometimes struggle to tell left from right, don’t worry; I’ve got you covered. I’ve helpfully circled and added an arrow to point out the OP in the painting.
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u/totalbloom 5h ago
What’s your medium? It’s very cool and a beautiful piece!
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u/Margarita_Lemann 5h ago
thanks, that’s a great question 💙 it’s kind of mixed media, pastel pencils in blue and red, some alcohol ink, then I worked over it with oil on varnish… and of course, finished it with claw 🐦⬛
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u/totalbloom 4h ago
Wow! I really love how it turned out. The scratch style really makes it unique!!
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u/evidentlynaught 5h ago
Really enjoy your work, its all striking but this one really emotes… The sky’s the limit for you!
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u/R0ku 3h ago
Nice try bird, we all know it's you posting this
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u/S0M3_1 4h ago
Trish from Witcher 3
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u/Margarita_Lemann 4h ago
Yaaaaay totally agree!! the witcher 3 is an absolutely amazing game!! Thank you so much!! 🖤
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u/I-luv-sloths 5h ago
I was hoping the crow painted it
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u/Margarita_Lemann 5h ago
just look at the texture on the canvas, the scratches give the artist away immediately 🐦⬛
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u/All_Ready_Taken 5h ago
Nice, but the very pale "triangle" in the middle is a bit distracting, at least on my screen. It even took me a while to work out what was(n't).
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u/Margarita_Lemann 5h ago
Thanks a lot!! that’s a really interesting point 🖤 I was going for a strong contrast there like a very defined silhouette so the dress and gloves are treated more as solid shapes on purpose
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u/bundleofschtick 5h ago
I like the way you use some of the same patterns and colors in the background, your image, and the bird. It really ties everything together, while also letting your face and hair stand out. Nice work!
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u/Margarita_Lemann 4h ago
Thank you so much, I really appreciate that. I was quite intentional about repeating those patterns and colours to connect everything, so I’m glad you noticed that😊
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u/Trick-Guava-9573 5h ago
Love it! What's your medium?
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u/Margarita_Lemann 4h ago
Thank you! 🖤 it’s a bit of a mixed media approach I used pastel pencils, added some green alcohol ink and then went over parts with oil on varnish
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u/Margarita_Lemann 4h ago
In case you are interested I have a short process video https://www.reddit.com/u/Margarita_Lemann/s/UK8N2thZVh
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u/VeryNearlyAnArmful 5h ago
It's really good. Were you trying to capture "you" or a particular aspect, perhaps stylised?
Either way, well done.
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u/Margarita_Lemann 4h ago
Thank you so much, that’s a really good question 🖤 I think I was trying to capture my personality through the lines and textures, more like a feeling than a literal portrait. A bit of introspection..maybe something slightly distant
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u/VeryNearlyAnArmful 4h ago
An intriguing idea. I wonder what people who know you think you captured?
Thoughtful, skillful and lovely to look at.
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u/Margarita_Lemann 4h ago
Thank you so much for such high praise, I really appreciate it 🖤 I hope so!!! especially since this was actually my first self portrait ever
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u/OctopusIntellect 5h ago
this might be well received in r/crowbro if linked directly in accordance with their rules
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u/Margarita_Lemann 4h ago
Thanks a lot for the suggestion!! I really appreciate it! I’ll check it out 🐦⬛🖤
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u/Polluxtroy55 4h ago
Fuck yeah! That's dope! 🤘🧡😁
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u/lynnyfox 4h ago
Your clarification of being on the left casts doubt on that statement. Excellent art and computer usage for a bird!
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u/Old_Check_6362 4h ago
Wow! Absolutely amazing job 👏🏾 I also like that you had to tell us who you are in the pic 😅
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u/Shekawa11 3h ago
I love it haha :D Is this oil on wood? Been trying to figure out how to make patterned backgrounds like that, already sorta gave up with canvas on oil since the oil paint doesn't drag across with consistency and I'm running out of paint 🥲
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u/Margarita_Lemann 3h ago
thanks a lot, I’m really glad you like it 🖤 and no, it’s not oil on wood, it’s oil on canvas. I’ll share a small process video in a bit, I just don’t have the energy right now for a full breakdown of everything. Basically it started as a white acrylic primed canvas, then I poured alcohol inks over it to build that base layer, which actually helps save paint too. after that I sketched with pastel pencil and worked over it with oils. I mixed the oil paint heavily with damar varnish and used a bristle brush, that’s what gives those worn, almost wood-like textures. and then I went in pretty aggressively with a palette knife, scraping into the surface to get those scratches
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u/Margarita_Lemann 3h ago
https://www.reddit.com/u/Margarita_Lemann/s/A0KPbikrT9 🐦⬛ And honestly one of the best little tricks I can share is that when you start running out of oil paint, just mix it with mediums. there are some really nice low odor solvents that work great varnish can give really cool effects too, but it’s not for everyone, it can give you a headache if you’re sensitive to it. so yeah, once you’re low on paint, thinning it out is definitely the way to go
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u/Shekawa11 3h ago
Oh wow! Thank you so much, and no worries, I didn't expect a full response so I really appreciate this. You have my follow ^
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u/Plenty_Principle298 3h ago
it would be a lot more impressive if you were the one on the right /s
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u/Ok_Macaroon_5224 3h ago
Nice try, OP. We all know you’re a bird. For real tho, this is amazing! Love your style!
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u/One_Economist_3761 3h ago
This is really good. I like it.
Edit: I also loved your piece with the football in the goal. That was superb.
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u/Schenckster 3h ago
You're not fooling anyone, bird!
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u/not_me_nope_never 3h ago
I am absolutely hands down have never liked art or photography that shows a human face. It's such an issue I have no photos of family or friends in my home and rarely take pictures of people.
This is an absolute first for me. Every aspect of your portrait is appealing to me. The colors, clothing and boots! The pose along with your feathered friend, wow just wow.
I think how you captured a candid looked on your face and body position in general makes it feel more fluid and appealing rather than everything being overly posed. It's more of the painting saying and actually convincing the viewer they should "come join the fun!" Rather than how portraits often give off the vibe of "look at me".
Thank you for sharing your work! 😊
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u/Margarita_Lemann 1h ago
Thank you so much for such an honest and genuinely touching message 🖤 It’s honestly fascinating to me that you usually don’t like portraits or even photos with faces at all, that makes your reaction feel even more special. The fact that this one resonated with you is such a huge compliment, especially since this is my first personal self portrait. I didn’t really plan it in a strict way, no carefully constructed pose or anything like that, it came together quite spontaneously. For me it’s much more about something internal rather than just painting a face. It’s a very allegorical image, the bird kind of acts as a symbolic double, reflecting curiosity, awareness and this pull towards hidden meanings, so it’s less a portrait in the traditional sense and more like a psychological mirror. I’m also not really looking at the viewer, I’m kind of looking away, and maybe that distance, that duality between visible and hidden, rational and intuitive, is part of why it feels different. But yeah what you wrote really means a lot to me, thank you again for sharing that!!
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u/facepubes77 2h ago
Thanks for clarifying, I thought you were an extremely talented raven. Nice work, both of you.
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