http://www.painters-online.co.uk artistFebruary 2021 17
PRACTICAL
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p Two Brothers, Arlo and Kell, collage on board, 233/4 3 283/4in (60 3 73cm).
These two brothers were so full of energy and curiosity that I wanted to capture that spirit in their portrait. I aimed to show how close and
physically comfortable they were with each other. I layered larger and smaller pieces of paper, slowly building up a likeness. I made some areas
very detailed and others plainer and smoother. The aim was to draw the eye to the textured collaged seams of paper that represent the surface of
the boys’ skin, against the flatter, more uniformly-patterned backdrop. Also, in a graphic sense, the outline of their silhouette in the foreground
would be clearly defined against the background, and the focus of the portrait would definitely be the expressive faces of the two boys.’
fairly even light – I don’t want them
wincing into the sun where the contrast
and shadows on their face will be very
extreme, but likewise some shadowing
across their features will help to
give their portrait some drama and
definition. If it’s a head-and-shoulders
portrait I encourage them to wear a top
in a colour and shape that suits them
and that sets off their complexion and
eye colour and, hopefully, reflects their
personality in some way. Children often
have treasured t-shirts or hoodies with
certain patterns and logos that mean
a lot to them and it’s nice to include
these in their portraits.
‘I use the photos as reference,
squaring them up on the surface I am
going to work on, which is often primed
board as I like working on a resistant
surface. I then draw the outline of the
subject on to the base, before I start to
collage.
‘In my still-life work, I look for shapes
and colours of objects, flowers and
pieces of fabric and the way they may
suddenly catch a particular light, on a