Self-portrait.Inspired by the song "The Beginning of the End" by Nine Inch Nails, from the concept album Year Zero, depicting an oppressive dystopian future America/world. It's my own spin on it, taking "my mark" to be literal, the implication being that it is given by the government to control us. I think to myself, what would I do in this situation? Fear it? Embrace it? I took the darker route with this painting."Down on your knees, you'll be left behindThis is the beginningWatch what you think, they can read your mindThis is the beginningI got my mark, see it in my eyesThis is the beginningMy reflection I don't recognizeThis is the beginningWe think we climb so highAll up the backs we've condemnedWe face our consequenceThis is the beginning of the end..."I used PS CS3, a Wacom Intuos 3 tablet, and variations on the hard round brush and soft round airbrush, and that's it. Kept it real simple, and that helped. Yes, it's a painting of me. Have to do one eventually, right? Here's one of the reference photos I took of myself to use [ imgur.com/CeF2TTL ]. Here's a link [ www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIZdiV… ] to the song by NIN. I love this album and will probably revisit being inspired by another song from it soon. Critiques are most welcome, thanks for viewing [view it in full size please!]~J