Self Portrait lighting question

Kschaben

I am not sure how to ask this. If I were doing a still life I can adjust the lighting to make it more interesting and preserve the color integrity. I am doing a self portrait, using a mirror and trying to use DMP method. My question is how can I effect the lighting without loosing the color balance. Does that make since?
I have the proper lighting for my "studio" as suggested. Am I over thinking this?

Julianna

@Kschaben ; it's a challenge.  I did one of my self portraits outside thinking the light out there would be interesting - NOT!  Because once those shadows started moving all over the place, it was a disaster to try to get a likeness.  If you sit with one side of your face towards the light source in your studio (and all other lights off), does that stay consistent throughout the day?  I found that sitting sideways to the light helped.  Good luck and have fun!

Kschaben

maybe on the next one. Started straight on ,just wondered if there was something I could do to help it out. But thanks. I thought you did a great job on yours but your poor neck after all that. 

Julianna

so the light source is straight on in your face?  I love Cesar Santos  

Kschaben

 My light is portable so if i put it off to the side but keep the 35o  angle , will that mess up the color, value and such keeping in mind I am using a mirror? 

charlesLinvlle

I guess I'm confused, you cant work from a photo. why a mirror? 

Kschaben

My understanding is mark wants us to work from life. I have to say this murrow thing is very difficult.but working on it, 

Richard_P

I think you can work from both. I'd guess doing a self-portrait from a mirror is much harder than working from a photo though.

Kschaben

Yes very difficult to see, tendency to close one eye which changes everything. Even with the lines on the mirror.

Julianna

There is an energy from painting a self-portrait from a mirror reflection that you can't get anywhere else.  I think painting a self portrait in the mirror is incredibly difficult but it is a ton of fun. 

@Kschaben   I assume you have seen this video, just in case - I love how clearly he defines why it is so incredibly difficult and it helps with realizing to make it about fun and learning