Portraiture

The Portraiture project explores theoretical ideas about grammatical (using rules) approaches to art. It applies painterly rules collected from traditional masters and contemporary art. It illustrates how art historical rules may be used in alternative ways to develop a personal language of portraiture.

The images showcased in the Portraiture Project are created from drawings, photographs and real-life studies of the sitters. Each portrait was considered a study of one object. Humans have more to them than inanimate objects. 

Trusting the innate feelings for color and form during the painting process became a rewarding reflective experience. The subject sat in a studio chair and posed while their favorite music played as conversation often ensued.  Reference photographs were taken front and back, three quarters and profiles.

Several drawings began the process, and the composition developed in relation to key visual elements, physical features, light effects and the personality of the sitter. The interesting idea in this is the starting point, the idea of one sitter for the project. My book, Digital Design: a critical introduction, Bloomsbury, London, UK, 2012   provides further information for those who want to delve deeper.

My role in the project was to explore the dialogue between representation and illusion. (See samples above) A likeness is kept but an interpretation of the sitter's personality emerges as the painting progresses. Each painting was completed within two weeks or sometimes two months depending on complexity of the object and changing light conditions. The outcome of the project was a group of ten portrait paintings completed in the period 2019-2026. Each sitter brought a unique challenge to the project. 

My early work can be found in my book that elucidates ideas about grammatical rules in art, architecture and design: Digital Design: a critical introduction, Bloomsbury, London, UK, 2012.