This is a self-portrait I drew with a pencil. It came about because our youngest son, Tiernan, is studying art at Kutztown University. They have a short winter session in which his classes are 100% online. He had an assignment to draw a self-portrait, and there was a short instructional video from his professor to go with it.

Aileen and I offered to do the assignment with him and we all watched the video together. We’re kind of getting a three-for-one deal on the class, assuming we stick with doing all the assignments, though Aileen and I won’t get course credit (this is called the free rider problem).

So anyway, the professor gave quite good instructions, I thought. He explained the proportions of the face – for example that the eyes are at about the halfway point, and that when drawing them you should first consider the size and shape of the orbits. You should start with the outline of the skull, then get all the parts of the face in according to the proportions, and then fill in the details. With professional grade pencil and eraser it’s easy to draw lines for reference and then get rid of them for the final product.

We set up a mirror and a drawing pad on an easel so we could all do our drawings. I think mine came out pretty good. I did have it a little easier because I didn’t have to draw my chin or even my mouth really, since I have so much face fuzz. The shape of the skull isn’t quite right; it’s actually too wide. But the details of my eye sockets, with their impressive puffiness and deep shadows, are fairly accurate.

I put a lot of attention into those eye sockets. Drawing this portrait felt like a study in the imperfections of my face, like I really got to know its unique and asymmetrical contours. Those eye bags come from incessantly staying up late and refusing to give up my habit of alcohol consumption. My life etched onto the surface of my face, growing ever less resilient with the passage of time.

Aileen says I would be prettier if I smiled, but that’s just my resting concentration face I guess. 🙂