Diego

"Velazquez Self Portrait (copy)," oil on board, 8x6, 2008

An important influence in my work as a painter has been the immortal Diego Velazquez (1599-1660), the Spanish artist who served as court painter to King Felipe III. His masterpieces are the core of the Museo del Prado, in Madrid. Many years ago while in the military I had several occasions to visit that museum and spent many hours studying not only Velazquez but Goya and other Spanish masters. 

This small painting is an exceptionally rapid sketch of an oil attributed to Velazquez as a self portrait done nearly twenty years ago. I was interested in capturing the expression and main shapes of the figure. It was also interesting to use a very limited palette--basically cad red, yellow ochre, flake white and ivory black. Although the limitation of colors is severe, it is possible to achieve a wide range of colors and values with only those four.