Portrait study

Preparation for Sky Arts: Portrait Artist of the Year

This piece was created as a study in preparation for Portrait Artist of the Year, where artists are challenged to complete a portrait within four hours. I wanted to test my ability to work under similar time constraints while maintaining expressive quality and likeness.

Working from a photograph, I experimented with a looser, more instinctive approach. I used rough, gestural brushstrokes rather than focusing on fine details. This freer technique allowed me to capture the energy of the moment rather than a polished likeness.

The muted colour palette evokes the atmosphere of an Old Master portrait, while the soft wash in the background draws attention to the subject. Through this study, I explored the balance between spontaneity and control, learning how energy and confidence can shape a portrait just as much as precision.

The process pushed me to trust my instincts and embrace imperfection, lessons I continue to carry into my future paintings.