Portrait Artists - Inspiration

Expressive portraiture is a powerful force to me and I can’t help but come back to it no matter where different art assignments take me. Here’s a few images that have spoken to me and my attempt at analysing the elements, methods, colours, and styles.

This work above by Guy Denning includes several elements that I’ve used in my own work; leaving much of the surface (paper?) raw, leaving sections undone, and visible sketch lines. It has a beautiful sense of form, energy and rhythm. It looks like the initial sketching was done with a yellow pencil which still shows a little in places. The white blocked in background brings the subject forward. I find it incredible at how so much has been achieved with so little.

The above close-up portrait is by Paul Wright. I’m amazed at how these brush strokes form a face.. when you look at the detail it just looks like messy haphazard strokes. I imagine that it starts off much tighter to get the form of the face correct then progressively adds more energy. Oil paint on smooth surface? Gives it a liquid, slippery, dynamic feel.

The above portrait is by Agnes Grochulska as part of her framed series. Again so much of the canvas is left bare with just the most minimalist lines to suggest form. The face is the most heavily worked and is beautifully rendered in colour and tone. The thick paint in places adds to the depth and interest, and contrasts with the very lightly applied paint surrounding. The blue line frames the image and is bought into the highlights on her face. It is a work of contrasts in light and dark, colour hues, and textures.

The above portrait by Flo Lee again leaves the midtone as the canvas. The body form is flattened with the use of polka dot pattern. Effectiveness comes from use of complimentary colours - yellow and teale, With enough detail around the face to clearly define the form and personality of the sitter; or at least allow the viewer to fill in the gaps.