Back in the studio today I have started work on the idea of adding a hand mirror into my painting. I did some research on other artists who have explored mirrors and reflections in pieces of their work. One of them is Daphne Todd, OBE who is an English artist born 1947 and attended the Slade School of Fine Art. She was the first female President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters from 1994–2000, and who won the BP Portrait Award 2010.
Daphne Todd,Me in a Magnifying Mirror, 2001, 40.6”x40.6”.
Another is Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898-1972) who is best known as a graphic artist, but also made beautiful and fascinating images using different printing techniques. This lithograph is particular relevant to my working practice at the moment.
MC Escher, Hand with Reflecting Sphere, Lithograph, 213mmx318mm.
I think this self-portrait is amazing. The detail and shapes are brilliant and I think from studying these two pieces of work I can begin sketching and taking photographs to see how I can incorporate the mirror and start painting.
Kathryn Raffell, 2015, sketch on paper and 2 photographs.
From these I painted her right hand holding a mirror with the reflection of a face looking out at the viewer.
Kathryn Raffell, 2015, Acrylic on canvas, close up and full size painting, 180cmx120cm.
Am really pleased with how this has added to the overall composition. I wanted the mirror to reflect an image of a face to suggest that someone is standing in front of the painting and gazing on the female in the painting. It is about how we cover and adorn ourselves to wrap ourselves in an image in how we want others to perceive us. Another way to cover or disguise her inner self is by covering her face with a mask. It seems to allow her to gaze out at the viewer but acts as a barrier to the viewer seeing her.
