Portraits

2026

Devon studio

What is the point of painting a portrait in this photo obsessed, digital media world?

This question was first raised at the very birth of photography in the mid 1800’s.

Personally, I like to do both, using pencil, oils, acrylic or using a high-end digital camera with studio lighting.

But whatever medium I use, it’s more than just creating a likeness. It’s about creating an iconic image. This was Andy Warhol’s goal, influenced (as is suggested in the Netflix series ‘The Andy Warhol Diaries’) by the iconic imagery he found in his local Catholic church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Whoever we maybe, TV celebrity or school cleaner, everyone has the potential to look iconic.

Preliminary studies

Old photo (c.1930s) from ‘Past Caring’, Islington, London, UK
21 x 29cm
Oil on board
My son pre-teens.
Black pastel on cartridge paper
Boy soldier. Photograph from magazine
Acrylic ink, paint and pastel on cartridge paper
Working from photo portrait courtesy of Alan Powdrill
21 × 29cm
Acrylic on board
Portrait of my younger self from sun-faded photo
21 × 29cm
Oil on board
Found in magazine. Photographer unknown.
21 × 29cm
Acrylic on board
Old photo (c.1930s) from Past CAring, Islington, London, UK
21 × 29cm
Oil on board
Found magazine image. Photographer unknown.
Acrylic on cartridge.
Painting of photo portrait courtesy of Alan Powdrill.
21 × 29cm
Acrylic on board
Found magazine image. Photogrpaher unknown.
21 × 29cm
Acrylic on board
Description gFound magazine image. Photographer unknown.
Acrylic on cartridge.
Portrait of self from faded photo.
21 × 29cm
Sketch of Kate the Ovate Healer.
Acrylic and pastel on cartridge paper.
Personal photo from Greece, 2013
Acrylic on canvas

Portraits

Medium-agnostic, contemporary artist based in Devon, UK.