How do you…
How do you paint eyes? or even How do you paint portraits? , these are often the questions that people come up to me with. Do you want to know how?
Portraiture is my artistic canvas, a realm where I breathe life into faces, emotions, and stories. Amidst the social likeness of selfies and digital snapshots, I stand as a portrait artist, embracing the timeless tradition of visual storytelling. No NFT’s, no selfies, just plain old paintbrush strokes on a canvas. Allow me to guide you through my captivating world of portrait painting and share the artistry that fuels every brushstroke.
The Craft of Portrait Painting
As a portrait artist, my devotion to this is unwavering. It's not merely about capturing a likeness; it's about exploring deeper levels to reveal the essence of my subjects. Each portrait is an exploration of ideas, thoughts, a mix of techniques and styles, where my artistic vision takes form.
The Alchemy of Expression: Eyes and Emotions
The paragraph everyone is interested in. Eyes. For me, especially in portrait painting, the eyes reign supreme. They are the conduits of emotions, narrators of stories, and windows to the soul. As a portrait artist, I consider the eyes to be a canvas within a canvas, each pair unique and expressive. These are the main reasons why I not only love painting eyes, but also believe that they are the most important element of portrait painting.
The Gateway to the Soul: The saying "the eyes are the windows to the soul" couldn't be truer in portrait painting. Eyes are the primary source of emotional expression, and they have the power to reveal inner thoughts, feelings, and stories. When I paint eyes, I aim to capture not just their physical appearance but also the essence of the person behind them. It's a profound exploration of the subject's soul.
Conveying Emotions: One of the most captivating aspects of painting eyes is the ability to convey a wide range of emotions. The slightest change in the shape of an eye, the intensity of a gaze, or the play of light in the iris can communicate joy, sorrow, curiosity, or introspection. It's through these nuances that a portrait truly comes to life.
The Play of Light and Shadow: Light and shadow are my tools for creating depth and dimension in the eyes. The way light dances across the surface of the eyes can add a three-dimensional quality, making them appear lifelike and engaging. I pay close attention to the reflections, highlights, and subtle variations in color to render eyes that appear to sparkle with vitality.
Eyes in Different Moods: Every portrait tells a unique story, and the eyes play a pivotal role in narrating that story. When painting eyes, I consider the mood and narrative of the portrait. For example, a portrait conveying confidence might feature bold, direct eye contact, like Aria , while a more contemplative mood may call for a softer, introspective gaze, like Noemi.
The Gaze that Connects: Perhaps the most enchanting aspect of painting eyes is the connection they establish with the viewer. When someone gazes upon a portrait, it's often the eyes that draw them in, inviting them to connect with the subject on a deeply emotional level. It's this connection that makes portrait painting a profoundly intimate and impactful art form. And, in the end, this is my absolute goal when creating art. The Connection.
CECILE
Watch my painting process here: Cecile’s Process
“Create from the soul, for the soul.”
Embracing Imperfections: Beauty in Uniqueness
When painting, be it either abstract art or portraiture, keep in mine that perfection is not the goal; authenticity is. Each imperfection, wrinkle, scar, and nuanced expression adds character and depth to a portrait. It is in these unique qualities that I find beauty, and it is my privilege to bring them to life. And I want to inspire you to do the same.
In a world filled with visual noise, I am welcoming you to join me in this safe space, this artistic journey where we’ll share ideas, thoughts, debate subjects and connect to each other on a deeper level, all guided by the Art within us.
Love,
Simona
P.S. If you have any questions or subject ideas, let me know at studio@simonaconstantinart.com and we’ll debate them one by one!
