#56: Three Portraits, One Submission
After weeks in the studio refining and reworking three very different portraits, I’ve finally submitted my entry for Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year. Each piece represents a different aspect of my practice right now — from the expressive colour of What I was and what I’ve become, to the vertigo-inspired …and the world keeps on spinning, and a monochrome portrait of Olivia Colman that returns to the foundations of my work.
#54: Stabbing the Painting with Creativity
A week into adding colour to my black and white portrait, I’ve realised just how intense the push and pull can be. Every brushstroke feels like a risk — like I’m sacrificing detail in pursuit of something looser and more expressive. This post is about that uncomfortable middle stage, hitting a wall, stepping away, and coming back with fresh eyes.
#53: What I Was and What I’ve Become
I’ve finished the black and white foundation of my latest portrait, and now I’m moving into colour through layered glazes. I’m aiming for something more dimensional and expressive — while leaving part of the piece monochrome. I’m calling it What I was and what I’ve become, a reflection of my journey from graphite drawings to full colour painting, and a mindset that’s grown looser, freer, and more creative over time.
#52: A New Year, a Wider Window
As I begin preparing my entry for Portrait Artist of the Year 2026, a small rule change has prompted a much bigger reflection. Being able to submit work from the last five years, rather than just one, has made me realise how much has quietly accumulated — and how far this journey has already taken me.