DIY: Paint a self-portrait

Art is a special kind of hobby. Because it is an expression of self, anyone can put pencil to pad, brush to canvas or chisel to stone and release whatever feelings he or she may have stored up inside.
What better way to express your inner self than with a painting that reflects how you see yourself? Of course, art is a skill that is easy to learn, but very difficult to master. Here are a few tips to get you on your way with creating your very own self-portrait.
Choose Your Medium
Art, like expression, comes in many different forms. Perhaps you know your way around a paint brush. Great, that will be the perfect way to create your self-portrait.
But what if your painting skills are lacking and you do not feel comfortable spending money on paint just to create something you are not happy with? Luckily for you, art is more than just painting. You could simply draw your self-portrait, mold it out of clay, or for those who are more tech-savvy, even draw it in Flash or similar drawing programs.
Are you not familiar with any of these? That’s fine too! This is the perfect time to try something different and learn a new skill.
Visualize Yourself
Most self-portraits are created based on what the artist sees in the mirror. That is fine, but why do you have to express yourself as you literally appear outwardly?
If art is an expression of one’s inner self, then what you put on canvas or paper or screen should also express the inner, rather than the outer.
Are you a mysterious stranger in the Wild West? Are you a bounty hunter riding your motorcycle down the highway? However you see yourself, or even want to see yourself, is what you should create.
This is more than just recreating how you look. This is taking the living, breathing you and putting it in an artistic form.
Do Not Be Afraid to Mess Up
Most of you reading this probably do not create art outside of the occasional doodling. Chances are, you will make a mistake.
Do not worry about it, as even the greatest of artists make mistakes! This is all about doing something new that you have never done before.
The old adage goes “if you want to make an omelet, you have to break a few eggs.” Break all the eggs if you have to! Maybe you will have to start over from the beginning, but that is perfectly fine. You will learn from your mistake and not make it again.
Once you get into a groove, the mistakes will be minimal. In the meantime, stay cool, don’t freak out, and just understand errors will happen.
Share It
You just created a work of art and you should be absolutely proud of it. There is no reason to hide it away, no matter how good or bad you think it is.
Show your friends, family and anyone who wants to see it. You might think your self-portrait is more of a “self-poortrait,” but you should be proud of trying something new and succeeding, regardless of the result.
If you decide to try this and create your own self-portrait, feel free to send them in, we would love to see how you see yourselves. Who knows, maybe you will fall in love with a new hobby.