Alain Picard (b.1974), "Beautiful," 2012, pastel on paper, 36 x 24 inches, Cecil Byrne Gallery
by Max Gillies
Everyone has one, so everyone is interested, to a lesser or greater degree. I’m referring to the face. Artists have been depicting faces for millennia, sometimes flatteringly and sometimes frankly, but always with the understanding that every viewer has a direct connection with the subject—and also a way of assessing the rendition’s accuracy.
Just as important is the way we “read” facial expressions: there are happy and sad, for example, but also every possible emotion and mood between. Capturing each is no easy task, so we instinctively admire those artists who get it right.
Enjoy this diverse array of approaches, and please tell us about other artists who excel in this area.
Dave Santillanes (b.1972), “Motherhood,” 2015, oil, 16 x 20 inches, Private collectionKwani Povi Winder (b.1989), “In His Eyes,” 2017, oil on linen, 20 x 16 inches, Private collectionKyle Stuckey (b.1987), “New day,” 2017, oil on linen, 12 x 10 inchesLinda Harris Reynolds (b.1957), “Nina in Summer,” 2017, oil on linen, 27 x 34 inches, Private collectionScott Prior (b.1968), “Matt Hensley,” 2016-17, oil on canvas, 16 x 20 inchesAlain Picard (b.1974), “Beautiful,” 2012, pastel on paper, 36 x 24 inches, Cecil Byrne GalleryJoel Daniel Phillips (b.1989), “Leroy,” 2016, charcoal and graphite on paper, 42 x 94 inches, Private collectionKate O’Hagan (b.1971), “Believe,” 2016, oil on linen, 40 x 30 inches, RJD GalleryDavid W. Terry (b.1958), “Poet: Naomi Shihab Nye,” 2017, oil on linen, 18 x 24 inchesKrystii Melaine (b.1963), “Rascals, Rebels & Rogues,” 2016, oil on linen, 32 x 46 inchesBart Lindstrom (b.1947), “Favrot,” 2005, oil on canvas, 36 x 36 inches, Private collectionPaul Keysar (b.1977), “Alise with Her Head in the Clouds,” 2017, oil on canvas, 20 x 24 inchesLee Guk Hyun (b.1983), “The Girl in the Dream,” 2015, oil on canvas, 24 x 18 inches, Lotton GalleryHollis Dunlap (b.1977), “Susan 2,” 2016, oil on panel, 16 x 12 inches, Sirona Fine ArtJason Drake (b.1955), “Time to Dream,” 2017, oil on panel, 24 x 28-1/2 inches,Dan Christian (b.1975), “Aurora,” 2016, charcoal and pastel on paper, 9-1/2 x 7-1/2 inches, Lovetts GalleryKevin Beilfuss (b.1963), “Angelica,” 2016, oil on panel, 18 x 24 inches, Walls GalleryMark B. Goodson (b.1957), “Expressions of Quilly,” 2012, oil on canvas, 18 x 72 inchesNancy Boren (b.1955), “Four Corners Cowboy,” 2016, oil on canvas, 30 x 20 inches, Claggett/Ray GallerySuzie Baker (b.1970), “To Every Purpose,” 2017, oil on linen panel, 40 x 20 inchesTeresa Elliott (b.1953), “Moon As Bright,” 2016, oil on panel, 16 x 12 inches, Private collectionTang Wei Min (b.1971), “Children of the North, Affection,” 2016, oil on canvas, 24 x 20 inches, Lotton GalleryShana Levenson (b.1981), “Repent and Forgive,” 2016, oil on dibond, 20 x 20 inches, Abend GalleryWilliam H. Neukomm (b.1972), “Chi Cerca Trova,” 2015, oil on linen, 32 x 40 inchesBrenda Hash (b.1961), “Liz,” 2016, pastel, 16 x 25 inchesDamian Lechoszest (b.1976), “The Farmer,” 2017, oil on canvas, 20 x 16 inches, InSight GalleryKristy Gordon (b.1980), “Silence,” 2016, oil on canvas, 30 x 30 inches, Cube GalleryKristy Gordon (b.1980), “Boundaries,” 2016, oil on canvas, 24 x 18 inchesKaren Offutt (b.1967), “Offspring,” 2017, oil on gessoed wooden board, 30 x 20 inchesJohne Richardson (b.1960), “Morning Light,” 2013, acrylic on canvas, 30 x 40 inches, Private collectionJames Tennison (b.1955), “Molly,” 2014, oil, 32 x 24 inchesShana Levenson (b.1981), “Home,” 2017, oil on dibond, 22 x 26 inchesSuzie Baker (b.1970), “His Own Drum,” 2017, charcoal and pastel on paper, 24 x 18 inchesGianni Strino (b.1953), “The Enchantress,” 2016, oil on canvas, 16 x 16 inches, Lotton GalleryFelice House (b.1977), “Sarah Fire,” 2015, oil on canvas, 24 x 48 inchesFelica House (b.1977), “Karen Wind,” 2016, oil on canvas, 24 x 48 inches
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I do know another portrait artist Wana show her images.