This piece, Introspective – Self Portrait, began as a loose preparatory drawing—something I typically do to map out values, darks, and lights before painting over it. In many of my finished paintings, traces of this underdrawing remain visible through transparent layers of pigment and glazes, offering a glimpse into the construction from initial sketch to completed work. It’s a key part of my layered approach to building depth and atmosphere.
What makes this one unique is that it never became a full painting. Created during a profoundly difficult time for a family member, it forced me to dig deep emotionally, searching my soul for comfort and clarity amid the reality at hand. The title Introspective reflects that inner journey.
As I worked the charcoal and graphite on gesso board, the raw intensity of the marks captured exactly the fragile, vulnerable feeling I needed to express. Adding color felt like it would dilute or distract from that raw emotion—so I made the deliberate choice to stop there, applying only a subtle acrylic glaze to seal and subtly enhance the existing tones. What started as an underdrawing became the finished artwork.
This very personal piece serves as a reminder of how delicate our emotions and lives can be, and it’s one of the few works I consider truly private. In the portfolio, it stands out as a window into my technique: the power of restraint, the value of the initial drawing, and the emotional honesty.