Self-portrait with still life – step-by-step

I haven’t painted a self-portrait in awhile so when I recently acquired this old mirror, I thought it would be a good challenge to combine a self-portrait with a still life.  The most difficult part was to figure out how to set up the lighting for this painting.  If you will notice, it actually has two sources of light: one on the still life set up and one over the painting that I’m working on.  I actually had to paint this picture mostly in the dark with the overhead lights off and the windows blacked out with curtains.

The contrasts with the subtle background colors and the bright colors in the still life were also challenging.  If you look closely, you will see how I carry some of the brighter colors throughout the painting.  I always think this gives a work more cohesiveness.  This is oil on canvas, 24 x 30.  It took me about a month, mostly because I got stuck in the middle.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments.