About this artwork

CONTRAST and CLARITY

In this piece, I sought to capture the profound and quiet dignity of the human spirit. Rendered in both black and white charcoal, the portrait is an intimate study of a man whose face tells a story of a life fully lived. The intricate details of his expression are deliberately contrasted with a looser, more expressive handling of his turban and clothing. This blend of precision and spontaneity allows the raw power of the medium to breathe, bringing a sense of dynamic life to the portrait.

This artwork was a Let's Face It study based on a lesson by artist Lara Provost, and I felt I began to truly understand the charcoal medium while creating it. Although the program's instructors use a variety of tools, I chose to stick with charcoal for this piece. This decision, a practice recommended by program organizer Kara Bullock, allowed me to deepen my own style and mastery of the medium by focusing on what I had available.

I genuinely relished the entire process, and the result is a piece that is both a technical study and a testament to the captivating power of charcoal to command attention. It is a work that honours the strength and presence of its subject and my own evolving artistic voice.
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Paper: Strathmore 300 Newsprint, 52 gsm
Size: A2 - 45cm x 60cm (57.3 x 72.6cm Framed)
Medium: Charcoal, White Charcoal