Rembrandt Study

I think copying the work of the Masters is a learning experience.  I enjoyed painting this portrait of Rembrandt.  He studied himself very closely in the mirror for most of his life...painting about 100 self-portraits, which explains how there's so many facial changes with his portraits.  I imagine it had to be very challenging.  Some people say that he did it because he always had a model on hand!!  He always painted with dark shadows that I always liked.  I would have painted this in oils, like he did, but I still don't have the nerve... so I stuck to the comfort of my pastels!!!