My intentions were to go for color, and worse still, pattern in the background. As I got going it seemed that the folds of my nightgown, which I had tied around my head, made a busy enough area, so I let it go. Maybe you have to hold the intention of pattern in your head in a strong way and not let the painting take you where you are not wanting to go, maybe even do the pattern first and outsmart yourself.
For years I have been trying to figure how to do Van Gogh, how to have the color and the form too.There is a majesty about just the skin itself that might supersede color, maybe you have to give first importance to the skin until you get weary of it, and then you can go for the color. Might be a good problem for exercises. I have a little postcard of a baby's head by V.G. in my studio, the whole thing is mint green, the baby AND the background, and it is just jaw dropping good. There are not that many paintings of babies that I remember as good, or remarkable, but his are always positively gripping.
love your self-portraits, and your analysis of stuff, too. it would be fun to meet you someday and talk....
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