This painting uses a monochrome palette to think about identity, the painting is black and white but individuals rarely are.
This larger-than-life woman is both proud and compassionate as she looks down slightly at the viewer. Her lips are parted as if she is about to talk to us, and she holds her head regally.
I loved how the light plays with the different textures in this piece - hair, skin, jumper, jacket and of course the metal earrings.
The dramatic light and unusual canvas size would make this a feature on your wall.
In my painting I aim to use dramatic light and I’m interested in the indication of form in the mind’s eye. In portraits especially I like to have a sense of narrative, capturing a moment of realisation or decision.
