Self-portrait ill

[Jimmie Arroyo]

Jean,
My biggest problem is the process. I'm usually ok when I'm finished, but getting there kills me. I've studied color and make blocked sketches before I start, but right as I'm getting into it, I have a small panic attack and think I'm gonna ruin the piece. This has happened with EVERY color piece I've done. Every medium that I'ved tried has a completely different method of laying down color. For example, tattooing should usually be done from dark to light. With airbrushing I used a lot of glazing with little use of opaque colors, erasing pigment to achieve highlights. I still don't know what I'm doing with pastel!!!! The Daniel Greene tapes have helped greatly. One of my biggest concerns also with pastels is that I'll lose the tooth, although it's never happened(paranoia, I guess). I'm sure I'll get over it, hopefully very soon because I'm about to start a commission of three siblings done separately. Wish me luck.