Self-Portrait

Pin It

Self-Portrait
Matthew D. Hughes
Charcoal on Rives BFK
22 x 30 inches
Completed December 2010

This self-portrait is from the first semester of my freshman year of college. It was the first time that I worked extensively with charcoal. Although I was quite proud of this piece when it was finished, looking back at it after so long, I feel that several of the areas are somewhat flat. That may be due to the lighting.

When I decided to go back to school, I was unsure if I should really be an art major. I'm from the philosophy that there is always someone out there better than you. I still hold to that notion. However, through the encouragement of my instructors and the realization of my capabilities, I am beginning to cultivate a confidence in my work and the decisions I make while creating it. This piece is where that self-realization began.