“I think that every artist has done a self portrait at some point or other, as it is the closest thing you have for reference: yourself. It’s a challenge and it shows in the end how you, the artist, see yourself. I’ve done just a few self portraits in the past; mostly I work freelance on character concepts and illustrations which leave me with little time for myself.”
http://www.3dtotal.com/team/Tutorials_3/makingof_self_portrait/self_portrait_01.php