Statement of intent

My fascination with the human face allows me endless inspiration. Our faces provide the key to non-verbal communication, and are the basis of our identity, what we present to the world every day. In my FMP I want to explore this visual language and experiment with new ways of expressing form, character and especially emotion. Like the intriguing faces that I encounter all around me.

My aim is to capture the true natures, the soul, and life stories behind these unique natural masterpieces. Old and worn, deformed or young, they each offer a unique beauty and a life of their own. I see it as my job to explore these aura's using raw and emotive paintwork in a series of portraits.

The investigation will start with artists who focus on the power of illumination and shadows. This for me will be a dramatic and exciting change from my earlier coloured work. Raw earthy tones are the theme, bringing about more human qualities in the portraits. Old and new masters who share this trademark are Rembrandt, Goya, Velasquez, Peter Howson, Otto Dix, Frances Bacon, Edward Hopper and Kathy Kollowitz. It's vital that I carry a camera with me at all times, taking regular neutral photographs of both sexes and varied ages. Perhaps asking elderly people for personal shots in their teens, of middle age and present times. I will use all three periods for further study and development. Family members would perhaps be a good starting point.

Manipulating colours will provide a variety of new opportunities, paying special attention to the impact that light has to offer. Opaque and translucent, rough and liberal brush strokes will determine the atmosphere. Acrylic paint would be well suited as a modern touch, allowing more freedom and movement to each piece. Quick drying matt paint is essential as many duplicates may be made, sheer paint would only distract the viewer. Essentially the aura in each portrait needs to be recorded as imaginatively as possible.