portraits Archives - TettyBetty TettyBetty Wed, 21 Feb 2024 10:28:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 These Oil Paintings of Patterns are Actually Portraits https://tettybetty.com/these-oil-paintings-of-patterns-are-actually-portraits/ Thu, 22 Feb 2024 08:29:00 +0000 https://tettybetty.com/?p=37691 When presented with works of English artist Lee Wagstaff, most people would describe them as oil paintings of mesmerizing patterns. But that is just partially correct. It just takes a closer look to realize that those patterns actually hide intriguing portraits. An impressive thing about Wagstaff’s paintings is that he manages to project the portraits […]

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]]> When presented with works of English artist Lee Wagstaff, most people would describe them as oil paintings of mesmerizing patterns. But that is just partially correct. It just takes a closer look to realize that those patterns actually hide intriguing portraits.

An impressive thing about Wagstaff’s paintings is that he manages to project the portraits inside his paintings without ever breaking the pattern. Instead, he achieves the effect by using a slightly different shade or adding outlines.

In order to notice the portrait inside the pattern, the viewers need to put in some effort. This includes either observing the artwork from a distance or squinting.

“A recurring theme in my work is pattern, I am drawn to patterns that predict and perhaps defy cosmic order. When I make art I think about whether it is still possible to make images and objects that embody ideas of faith, beauty and truth,” Wagstaff explains in his artist statement.

Wagstaff received his formal education from the Royal College of Art in London, UK, and Kyoto City University of Arts in Kyoto, Japan. His pieces have been displayed in venues around the world, with some being part of a permanent collection at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum. They are also extremely collectible and can be found in private collections, including the one belonging to late music legend David Bowie.

Continue scrolling to check out more of Wagstaff’s artworks below.

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]]> Charis Tsevis’s Mosaic Portraits are Stunning https://tettybetty.com/charis-tseviss-mosaic-portraits-are-stunning/ Thu, 19 May 2022 06:25:00 +0000 https://tettybetty.com/?p=37281 Greek artist and visual designer Charis Tsevis creates stunning mosaic portraits. In a recent segment of his African Brick series, he depicted beautiful black women created in his unique style. He was inspired to create it when he visited the African continent. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Charis Tsevis (@tsevis) Tsevis […]

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]]> Greek artist and visual designer Charis Tsevis creates stunning mosaic portraits. In a recent segment of his African Brick series, he depicted beautiful black women created in his unique style. He was inspired to create it when he visited the African continent.

Tsevis fell in love with Africa at first sight. He enjoyed learning about different cultures there and loved nature, animals, people, and the history he encountered, especially the houses.

“People used bricks and any kind of material they could find to build a home, a nest, a shelter. I have seen so much courage and so much creativity in all these houses. For me, these are the celebration of life. An incredible puzzle, an amazing mosaic of symbols, messages, and feelings. It was a no-brainer to use this idea for my personal art,” he tells My Modern Met.

Among the portraits from the recent series is the writer Amanda Gorman, whose portrait is called And Still I Rise after the famous poem by Maya Angelou, and reggae artist Keznamidi.

Check out Tsevis’s recent work below and find more on his Instagram page with over 13k followers. To learn more about his past and future project, visit his website.

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]]> The Classical Portraits of Daniel J. Yeomans https://tettybetty.com/the-classical-portraits-of-daniel-j-yeomans/ Mon, 22 Jun 2020 06:12:00 +0000 https://tettybetty.com/?p=34250 Painter Daniel J. Yeomans is known for his classical technique for portraiture—one that has remained somewhat unchanged since the renaissance. An acclaimed contemporary artist with traditional training at the Internationally renowned Charles H. Cecil studios in Florence, Yeomans accepts commissions for painting—a personal gift that is intended to be passed down through generations. “Working from life […]

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]]> Painter Daniel J. Yeomans is known for his classical technique for portraiture—one that has remained somewhat unchanged since the renaissance. An acclaimed contemporary artist with traditional training at the Internationally renowned Charles H. Cecil studios in Florence, Yeomans accepts commissions for painting—a personal gift that is intended to be passed down through generations.

“Working from life enables spontaneous brushwork,” said Yeomans in an interview with Jackson’s Art. “Each brushstroke, the color, the direction, the thickness of the paint is all a response to something happening in front of me. If all this becomes still (in a photo) I lose all these variable qualities in my work that make it my own.”

As well as specializing in portraiture, Yeomans spends much of his time traveling and painting plein air works. Some of which hang in collections throughout Europe, Asia, and the US. “Primarily I create art for everyone to enjoy in a public exhibition, so that is where most of my energy is spent,” he explains. “Commissions are equally important to living as an artist and just as exciting to paint but naturally you can’t seek them out so you should be happy to paint for yourself to start with.”

According to Yeomans, painting for himself allows him to expand his boundaries and try new things. “Sometimes they fail and sometimes they work out, but I use the experience for future projects.”

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]]> Zulf Draws Portraits Look Like They’re Being Hit by Light https://tettybetty.com/zulf-draws-portraits-look-like-theyre-being-hit-by-light/ Sun, 15 Mar 2020 11:06:00 +0000 https://tettybetty.com/?p=33090 Zulf is a London-based contemporary artist who creates magic with his hands. While doing his artwork, he uses dark paper, pastel pencils, and charcoal and creates mesmerizing portraits of women that look like they are made with light. “I take my time to find what I feel is the perfect reference for what I need. […]

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]]> Zulf is a London-based contemporary artist who creates magic with his hands. While doing his artwork, he uses dark paper, pastel pencils, and charcoal and creates mesmerizing portraits of women that look like they are made with light.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Wpa05BYXY/

“I take my time to find what I feel is the perfect reference for what I need. Sometimes, it can take me hours just to find one. Each piece I create can take me anywhere between 1 to 60 hours depending on details, although I try to keep it minimal as possible,” the artist told in an interview for Bored Panda.

He also revealed that he loved art since he can remember, and he was even part of a graffiti crew when he was younger. However, he got into the pencil-work on winter days when was too cold and dark to spraypaint outside.

“So I started to draw portraits indoors, practicing for around three hours every night after work. I started creating back in the summer of 2013 after not doing any art for 20 years. My passion for drawing and painting keeps forever evolving and that’s what keeps me going,” he said.

To see his mysterious creations, just keep on scrolling!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8CIT70Bjlh/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7oZj3Rh9if/

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]]> Helena Pallarés Sits at a Crossroads Between Collage Art and Illustration https://tettybetty.com/helena-pallares-sits-at-a-crossroads-between-collage-art-and-illustration/ Wed, 11 Mar 2020 13:14:00 +0000 https://tettybetty.com/?p=32984 Helena Pallarés’ illustrations can be divided into two main categories: portrait and abstract art. While her portraits feature people she admires, like actress Penelope Cruz and painter Frida Kahlo, her abstract work is more conceptual, exploring subjects like the passing of time and the unconscious. Born in Spain and currently based in Paris, Pallarés borrows […]

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]]> Helena Pallarés’ illustrations can be divided into two main categories: portrait and abstract art. While her portraits feature people she admires, like actress Penelope Cruz and painter Frida Kahlo, her abstract work is more conceptual, exploring subjects like the passing of time and the unconscious.

Born in Spain and currently based in Paris, Pallarés borrows techniques from collage art, when composing her illustrations. Using paper cuttings from vintage magazines mixed with pencil drawings and digital finishing touches, the finished product is a hybrid between traditional and contemporary art.

This unique hybrid was born out of trial and error, says Pallarés. “In the beginning I didn’t know what I really wanted to do,” she admitted in an interview with Talenthouse. “So, most of the works that I did at that time were clumsy compositions mixing photo and oil painting.” Jump forward some years later, and her artwork is now featured in international magazines and showcased in exhibitions and art fairs.

According to Pallarés, her work is very much inspired by surrealist art, as well as the Dada movement. “I found Dadaism and Surrealism when I was studying graphic design at the university and somehow that changed my life,” she says. “I was blown away by how Dada artists used the composition, the typography, and the color. It just matched perfectly my way to understand the aesthetic of design and I suddenly found the answer for many questions about the meaning of contemporary art.”

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Voilà, this is my humble tribute to this wonderful actress and this memorable film that completely blew my mind. Thank you to all who have followed this special takeover of Penélope's collage portrait. It makes me glad to know that you really enjoyed me telling you about the process. This is quite a lonely job and it is not always easy to transmit all this passion. Thank you ♥ . . . . . . . . #penelopecruz #volver #portrait #tribute #almodovar #lovecinema #collageportrait #handmadeart #analogcollage #cutandpaste #drawing #artprocess #chicaalmodovar #originalart #creativeprocess #takeover #womenofart #artistsoninstagram #dessin #illustrationportrait #illustratrice #parisartist #theotherartfair #theotherartfairldn @theotherartfair @todoalmodovar @saatchiart @penelopecruzoficial

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I made these little prints in collaboration with @parisbonnenouvelle and they come along with every Parisian icon t-shirt bought on my website or on the urbansider’s : www.urbansider.com Which one do you prefer? Edith, Anaïs, Victor, Brigitte or Serge? Btw, it’s a limited edition so 🏃🏽‍♂️ to get yours! . . . . . . . . #urbansider #parisbonnenouvelle @brigittebardotbb @sergegainsbourgforever #edithpiaf #brigittebardot #anaisnin #sergegainsbourg #victorhugo #illustratrice #illustrationdaily #parisillustration #portrait #portraitillustration #frenchartist #icon #frenchicon #music #fashion #litterature #print #paris #illustrator #collageart #illustrationartist #illustratorofinstagram @picame @illustrarts #helenapallaresillustration

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]]> These Paintings are Mind-Boggling https://tettybetty.com/these-paintings-are-mind-boggling/ Wed, 11 Mar 2020 11:42:00 +0000 https://tettybetty.com/?p=32975 There’s an uncanniness to Kit King’s portraits. Reminding us of photographs more than anything else, her hyperrealistic paintings might alarm you at first with their incredible level of detail. Even more incredible is the fact that King hasn’t received any formal training through art school. “I’m sure you can learn a ton from art school,” […]

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]]> There’s an uncanniness to Kit King’s portraits. Reminding us of photographs more than anything else, her hyperrealistic paintings might alarm you at first with their incredible level of detail. Even more incredible is the fact that King hasn’t received any formal training through art school.

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Throughout the years I’ve explored various art media and the many techniques and approaches to each. The one I keep going back to seems to raise the most questions: OIL DRY BRUSH ON CLEAR GESSOED LINEN. This has become my signature media over the years, and is often mistaken for charcoal drawing on toned paper. Hard to tell from a little square photo on a small screen, but the difference between them is felt in person. In an effort to demystify this approach (I get so many DM questions pertaining to) I’ve been going through the process of what’s involved in one of my works and I’ve turned it into a highlight on my profile. Breaking down the process, how to correct errors, how I see the subject, and all captured in oil paint on linen. This medium is not forgiving! You cannot paint over it, and you cannot erase it. So if you make a mistake you have to really push yourself creatively to find ways to fix them. It is the one approach that destroys my body more than any other. You need to work fast to lift paint out, and not let it set until it’s just right. You need quick hand movements to blend smoothly. It takes a massive tole on me physically (have to ice my hands and wrists after each session), but I’m obsessed with it as a medium. I love the pressure of no error margine. I love the way it forces me to see and think creatively in terms of process and not just subject. I love that it is both loose and refined at the same time. I can be very stubborn and obsessive and yes, a control freak, and this medium forces me to be more malleable when things don’t go my way. It teaches me adaptability. It gives me a unique push and pull relationship with the artwork. I can never force my way on it, it has to happen how it’s going to happen. Sometimes the medium we choose to create in isn’t for the end result. Sometimes it’s for the pure joy of process. • Crop of current work in progress. Oil on clear gessoed Belgian linen.

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“I’m sure you can learn a ton from art school,” she relayed in an interview with Jung Katz, “but it depends on what you want to take from art, and where you want to go with it that should determine whether or not it’s for you. For me, I couldn’t imagine being ‘taught’ art. It’s one of the only free things in this world and I’ve personally gained so much from having the artistic process be 100% my own journey, untainted from outside influence.”

But with both her parents being artists, you could argue that she didn’t have much of a choice. “Art is life,” she puts it, simply. “Art is my breath, my escape, my happy place. Art is my own safe haven in a hectic world. It’s where I go to hide from it all, and is also where I go to enjoy it all.”

Judging by her massive online following (that includes more than 345k fans on Instagram), other people are enjoying her paintings just as well. She has also won several awards for it, and her work is kept in both private and public collections worldwide including the MET’s publication collection. It’s also exhibited worldwide, in galleries and museums.

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🔴Pastel on paper.

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]]> Looking For the Perfect Gift? Why Not Commission a Portrait https://tettybetty.com/looking-for-the-perfect-gift-why-not-commission-a-portrait/ Tue, 03 Mar 2020 08:08:00 +0000 https://tettybetty.com/?p=32760 About Face Illustration, an independent brand launched in 2016 and run by illustrator Paulina Kwietniewska, is dedicated to portraiture. Using a variety of tools that include watercolors, oils, and ink, Kwietniewska makes custom portraits (both paintings and illustrations), which are commissioned through her website. “I set up About Face Illustration when my daughter was about […]

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]]> About Face Illustration, an independent brand launched in 2016 and run by illustrator Paulina Kwietniewska, is dedicated to portraiture. Using a variety of tools that include watercolors, oils, and ink, Kwietniewska makes custom portraits (both paintings and illustrations), which are commissioned through her website.

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I still have space for one Valentine's portrait. DM me for the details! I also offer gift vouchers and DIGITAL VERSIONS of watercolour portraits for those who tend to think about gifts last minute. How does it work? You place a usual order and just send an email with the reference photo and preferred arrival date. If the time frame is really though, I will most likely be able to make the painting and scan it on time. You can then show it to your beloved one on the screen and just say it has a delay in arriving. You can also a) print it yourself b) print it on mugs, t-shirts, pillow cases, tote bags etc. c) print a few copies and give it to other family members/friends. To place an order, just follow the link in bio and choose your favourite custom portrait style. Love, P. #aboutfaceillustration #valentines #valentinedays #coupleportrait #2020weddings #bridetobe #customportrait #customart #portraitpainter #buyart #mothersmakers #motherhood #mothersinarts #smallbusiness #etsysuccess #etsyuk

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“I set up About Face Illustration when my daughter was about five months old,” she recalled in an interview with the Printed blog. “Sadly, I didn’t know much about marketing at the time, but I was on Instagram and I was following some other mums. One day, I noticed that one of the mums I followed was looking for an illustrator to paint her and her son, so I volunteered.”

That first illustration proved to be the very beginning of her brand. “Two months later it basically became my full-time job- and 3 years and 500 portraits later, here I am,” says Kwietniewska. Her portraits provide the perfect gifts and mementos for occasions such as weddings, birthdays, and other happy celebrations.

But when it comes to inspiration, Kwietniewska needs only look inside. “Most of my work comes from within really,” she says. “But I am easily inspired, I recently went to the BP Portrait Awards and I all I wanted to do was go home and paint. I also love literature. I adore Nabokov’s Lolita, which I had the pleasure to paint recently. Also, I paint quite a lot from my experience.”

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Another writer in my new collection of cards is Virginia Woolf. I honestly wonder how Woolf, Camus or Nabokov would do in the age of social media. It's probably the last thing I should say here but I limit my use of Instagram because I find it somehow kills my creativity. It's very easy to become a pleaser and as an aspiring artist, I'd much rather choose my influences. And so I struggle. As much as I love this community and the support it gives me is VERY appreciated, I want to stay true to myself and give value rather than distraction. So thank you if you're still here. X #aboutfaceillustration #aboutface #greetingcards #virginiawoolf #aroomofonesown #feministwriter #slowsocial #aboutfacelondon #mothersmakers #etsyuk #londonillustrator #writersportrait #femalewriters #womeninarts

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I've been trying to catch up with work for a couple of months now and I'm nearly there – which means I'll be able to take more custom orders soon. Get in touch if you're interested – waiting time can be as short as 3-4 weeks so you'd be able to get a portrait in time for Mother's Day. I'll also do my first sale next week. Make sure you're on my mailing list to know about it first! Hope you all had beautiful weekends and enjoyed the weather. I spent the morning at Highgate Woods binging on the sunshine. Looks like the spring came early this year – just what I needed. X #aboutfaceillustration #customportrait #customart #portraitpainter #portraitartist #commissionartist #art #aboutfacelondon #mothersmakers

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]]> The Uncanny Portraits of Martine Johanna https://tettybetty.com/the-uncanny-portraits-of-martine-johanna/ Sat, 29 Feb 2020 09:29:00 +0000 https://tettybetty.com/?p=32701 With over 90k followers on Instagram, Dutch painter Martine Johanna is a force to be reckoned with. Known for her realistic style of portraiture painting (which, more often than not, has a surreal edge to it), her work has been showcased in multiple solo shows in the Netherlands, Europe, and the United States. One feature […]

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]]> With over 90k followers on Instagram, Dutch painter Martine Johanna is a force to be reckoned with. Known for her realistic style of portraiture painting (which, more often than not, has a surreal edge to it), her work has been showcased in multiple solo shows in the Netherlands, Europe, and the United States.

One feature that makes her paintings stand out is her unique choice of color. Her subjects (mostly women) have a certain sheen to them and they look as though they’re actually glowing from inside. This unique glow also adds a layer of uncanniness to her paintings, making her subjects both familiar and unfamiliar.

“Most of the characters are not airbrush perfect or standard but the color palette makes you feel that they are perfect, so any dark circles under the eyes or intense expressions do not feel negative,” Johanna explained in an interview with The HYDE Magazine.

“I don’t want them to fall flat or be just pretty,” she went on to say. “I want life in them and experiences because that is what makes people interesting, But whatever the viewer feels I feel is completely up to them, although a lot of people feel a connection to these paintings and see something of themselves in them. And it is women and men that feel that connection.”

According to Johanna, her paintings have an emotional quality to them, based on dreams, personal experiences, and personality conflicts between the authentic self, taught mannerism and projected morality. “The work is mostly autobiographic, so a lot of it deals with childhood memories, fascinations and that whole zone between being a kid and growing up and all the emotional turmoil that comes with it,” she notes.

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I’m back! And this is my piece for 'LAX / MSY' Curated by Thinkspace. The show takes place ‪August 10 – August 24‬ in New Orleans, Louisiana in the French Quarter. The Opening Reception takes place during Dirty Linen Night. Taking Place At: Red Truck Gallery ‪940 Royal Street‬ ‪New Orleans, Louisiana 70116‬ **In the heart of the French Quarter** Opening Reception: ‪Saturday, August 10 from 6-10PM‬ **Dirty Linen Night** On view ‪August 10 through August 24, 2019‬ Excited to exhibit in New Orleans for the first time ever Red Truck Gallery this coming August. Over 100 artists will be taking part in “LAX / MSY” in what will be the largest collection of artists from the New Contemporary Movement under one roof to date in the south. Thinkspace IG @thinkspace_art Red Truck IG @redtruckgallery #LAXMSY #ThinkspaceFamily #RedTruckGallery #neworleans #dirtylinennight ABCNT Abigail Goldman Adam Caldwell Ador Alex Garant Alex Yanes Alexandra Manukyan Allison Sommers Alvaro Naddeo Amy Sol Anthony Hurd Anthony Solano Baldur Helgason Benjamin Garcia Brad Woodfin Brian Mashburn Bryan Valenzuela Caratoes Carl Cashman Casey Weldon Chase Mullen Chloe Becky Collin Van Der Sluijs Craig ’Skibs’ Barker Crash One Cristian Blanxer Daniel Bildodeau Darcy Yates David Cooley David Rice Derek Gores Drew Young Edith Lebeau Eduardo F. Angel Eelus Egg Fiasco Ermsy Fafi Fernando Chamarelli Fumi Nakamura Hanna Lee Joshi Huntz Liu JC Rivera Jeremy Hush Joram Roukes Josie Morway Kathy Ager Kayla Mahaffey Kelogsloops Kelly Vivanco Kelsey Beckett Ken Nwadiogbu Kevin Peterson Kobusher Koz Dos Kyle Bryant Lauren YS Leon Keer Linsey Levendall Lisa King Logan Hicks Lonac Louis Masai Luke Chueh Mando Marie Marie-Claude Marquis Martin Whatson Martine Johanna Max Sansing McKenzie Fisk Meggs Molly Gruninger Nicola Caredda Nomad Clan Nosego Nuno Viegas Oak Oak Olga Esther The Perez Bros PREF Rachel Strum Ricky Watts Roos van der Vliet Ryan Malley Samuel Rodriguez Sean Chao Sepe Sergio Garcia Seth Armstrong Sickid Spenser Little Stephanie Buer Stikman Super A Superdeux Telmo Miel Terry Arena TMRWLND Troy Lovegates Wiley Wallace Woes Yok & Sheryo Yosuke Ueno Yusei Abe Zezão

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]]> Following the Curve of the Road: Ed Fairburn’s Portraits https://tettybetty.com/following-the-curve-of-the-road-ed-fairburns-portraits/ Sat, 22 Feb 2020 11:30:00 +0000 https://tettybetty.com/?p=32631 Ed Fairburn uses paper he finds as maps for his canvas, making gradual changes to features like contours and roads until a face is formed from within the map itself. The finished result is a unique hybrid between man and landscape, begging questions about the ways in which a space or a location can define […]

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]]> Ed Fairburn uses paper he finds as maps for his canvas, making gradual changes to features like contours and roads until a face is formed from within the map itself. The finished result is a unique hybrid between man and landscape, begging questions about the ways in which a space or a location can define an identity.

Employing traditional tools such as ink or pencil, Fairburn intervenes with a range of original maps, spending hours at a time to complete each piece. A lengthy study of each map takes place beforehand, to understand better the landscape at hand.

The choice of maps in and of itself is significant. “I like a map that’s easy to fold away, but I don’t let that influence my choice,” Fairburn explained in an interview with yatzer. “I’ll either source my maps from charity shops or old book shops – we have lots of both here in the UK,” he added. “If I’m working on a specific commission I’ll usually source a map on the internet to make the most suitable choice, in terms of the location.”

When considering a map to work on, he looks at the patterns, orientation, and other characteristics, preferring the more “cluttered” maps, which according to him offer the most scope. In order to appreciate his work, it’s best to view it from afar. Take a step back.

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]]> Wangari Mathenge’s Portraits Make a Statement https://tettybetty.com/wangari-mathenges-portraits-make-a-statement/ Mon, 11 Nov 2019 05:38:55 +0000 https://tettybetty.com/?p=30364 Wangari Mathenge’s portraits are very straightforward – her subjects looking bold and confident. Through her art, the Kenya-born, California-based painter tackles issues regarding the visibility of black women in the context of both the traditional African society and the Diaspora. Using bold gestural strokes within structured compositions, her portraits depict herself as well as her […]

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]]> Wangari Mathenge’s portraits are very straightforward – her subjects looking bold and confident. Through her art, the Kenya-born, California-based painter tackles issues regarding the visibility of black women in the context of both the traditional African society and the Diaspora. Using bold gestural strokes within structured compositions, her portraits depict herself as well as her friends and acquaintances.

Like most artists, Mathenge’s creative passion sparked early on, and she first experienced painting in primary school, when her parents enrolled her into an after-school art class. “This was my first experience painting,” she told Art of Choice. “Even though we were outdoors, we painted unobserved landscapes, which generally took the form of rolling hills. Cityscapes and imagined village scenes with huts and market stalls were popular.”

But when she came of age, she never even considered becoming an artist, and as she moved to the US for college she enrolled in Howard University and Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, D.C, studying International Business and Law.

“From childhood, I had been guided to consider as a suitable venture a career in commerce, medicine, engineering or law,” she says. “Working as an artist was never on the table.” But living independently and removed from her family and formative culture gave her the space to look inwards. “Art was a tool that I used to find a connection with space.”

She hasn’t looked back since.

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]]> ersion="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> portraits Archives - TettyBetty TettyBetty Wed, 21 Feb 2024 10:28:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 These Oil Paintings of Patterns are Actually Portraits https://tettybetty.com/these-oil-paintings-of-patterns-are-actually-portraits/ Thu, 22 Feb 2024 08:29:00 +0000 https://tettybetty.com/?p=37691 When presented with works of English artist Lee Wagstaff, most people would describe them as oil paintings of mesmerizing patterns. But that is just partially correct. It just takes a closer look to realize that those patterns actually hide intriguing portraits. An impressive thing about Wagstaff’s paintings is that he manages to project the portraits […]

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]]> When presented with works of English artist Lee Wagstaff, most people would describe them as oil paintings of mesmerizing patterns. But that is just partially correct. It just takes a closer look to realize that those patterns actually hide intriguing portraits.

An impressive thing about Wagstaff’s paintings is that he manages to project the portraits inside his paintings without ever breaking the pattern. Instead, he achieves the effect by using a slightly different shade or adding outlines.

In order to notice the portrait inside the pattern, the viewers need to put in some effort. This includes either observing the artwork from a distance or squinting.

“A recurring theme in my work is pattern, I am drawn to patterns that predict and perhaps defy cosmic order. When I make art I think about whether it is still possible to make images and objects that embody ideas of faith, beauty and truth,” Wagstaff explains in his artist statement.

Wagstaff received his formal education from the Royal College of Art in London, UK, and Kyoto City University of Arts in Kyoto, Japan. His pieces have been displayed in venues around the world, with some being part of a permanent collection at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum. They are also extremely collectible and can be found in private collections, including the one belonging to late music legend David Bowie.

Continue scrolling to check out more of Wagstaff’s artworks below.

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]]> Charis Tsevis’s Mosaic Portraits are Stunning https://tettybetty.com/charis-tseviss-mosaic-portraits-are-stunning/ Thu, 19 May 2022 06:25:00 +0000 https://tettybetty.com/?p=37281 Greek artist and visual designer Charis Tsevis creates stunning mosaic portraits. In a recent segment of his African Brick series, he depicted beautiful black women created in his unique style. He was inspired to create it when he visited the African continent. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Charis Tsevis (@tsevis) Tsevis […]

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]]> Greek artist and visual designer Charis Tsevis creates stunning mosaic portraits. In a recent segment of his African Brick series, he depicted beautiful black women created in his unique style. He was inspired to create it when he visited the African continent.

Tsevis fell in love with Africa at first sight. He enjoyed learning about different cultures there and loved nature, animals, people, and the history he encountered, especially the houses.

“People used bricks and any kind of material they could find to build a home, a nest, a shelter. I have seen so much courage and so much creativity in all these houses. For me, these are the celebration of life. An incredible puzzle, an amazing mosaic of symbols, messages, and feelings. It was a no-brainer to use this idea for my personal art,” he tells My Modern Met.

Among the portraits from the recent series is the writer Amanda Gorman, whose portrait is called And Still I Rise after the famous poem by Maya Angelou, and reggae artist Keznamidi.

Check out Tsevis’s recent work below and find more on his Instagram page with over 13k followers. To learn more about his past and future project, visit his website.

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]]> The Classical Portraits of Daniel J. Yeomans https://tettybetty.com/the-classical-portraits-of-daniel-j-yeomans/ Mon, 22 Jun 2020 06:12:00 +0000 https://tettybetty.com/?p=34250 Painter Daniel J. Yeomans is known for his classical technique for portraiture—one that has remained somewhat unchanged since the renaissance. An acclaimed contemporary artist with traditional training at the Internationally renowned Charles H. Cecil studios in Florence, Yeomans accepts commissions for painting—a personal gift that is intended to be passed down through generations. “Working from life […]

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]]> Painter Daniel J. Yeomans is known for his classical technique for portraiture—one that has remained somewhat unchanged since the renaissance. An acclaimed contemporary artist with traditional training at the Internationally renowned Charles H. Cecil studios in Florence, Yeomans accepts commissions for painting—a personal gift that is intended to be passed down through generations.

“Working from life enables spontaneous brushwork,” said Yeomans in an interview with Jackson’s Art. “Each brushstroke, the color, the direction, the thickness of the paint is all a response to something happening in front of me. If all this becomes still (in a photo) I lose all these variable qualities in my work that make it my own.”

As well as specializing in portraiture, Yeomans spends much of his time traveling and painting plein air works. Some of which hang in collections throughout Europe, Asia, and the US. “Primarily I create art for everyone to enjoy in a public exhibition, so that is where most of my energy is spent,” he explains. “Commissions are equally important to living as an artist and just as exciting to paint but naturally you can’t seek them out so you should be happy to paint for yourself to start with.”

According to Yeomans, painting for himself allows him to expand his boundaries and try new things. “Sometimes they fail and sometimes they work out, but I use the experience for future projects.”

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]]> Zulf Draws Portraits Look Like They’re Being Hit by Light https://tettybetty.com/zulf-draws-portraits-look-like-theyre-being-hit-by-light/ Sun, 15 Mar 2020 11:06:00 +0000 https://tettybetty.com/?p=33090 Zulf is a London-based contemporary artist who creates magic with his hands. While doing his artwork, he uses dark paper, pastel pencils, and charcoal and creates mesmerizing portraits of women that look like they are made with light. “I take my time to find what I feel is the perfect reference for what I need. […]

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]]> Zulf is a London-based contemporary artist who creates magic with his hands. While doing his artwork, he uses dark paper, pastel pencils, and charcoal and creates mesmerizing portraits of women that look like they are made with light.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Wpa05BYXY/

“I take my time to find what I feel is the perfect reference for what I need. Sometimes, it can take me hours just to find one. Each piece I create can take me anywhere between 1 to 60 hours depending on details, although I try to keep it minimal as possible,” the artist told in an interview for Bored Panda.

He also revealed that he loved art since he can remember, and he was even part of a graffiti crew when he was younger. However, he got into the pencil-work on winter days when was too cold and dark to spraypaint outside.

“So I started to draw portraits indoors, practicing for around three hours every night after work. I started creating back in the summer of 2013 after not doing any art for 20 years. My passion for drawing and painting keeps forever evolving and that’s what keeps me going,” he said.

To see his mysterious creations, just keep on scrolling!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8CIT70Bjlh/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7oZj3Rh9if/

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]]> Helena Pallarés Sits at a Crossroads Between Collage Art and Illustration https://tettybetty.com/helena-pallares-sits-at-a-crossroads-between-collage-art-and-illustration/ Wed, 11 Mar 2020 13:14:00 +0000 https://tettybetty.com/?p=32984 Helena Pallarés’ illustrations can be divided into two main categories: portrait and abstract art. While her portraits feature people she admires, like actress Penelope Cruz and painter Frida Kahlo, her abstract work is more conceptual, exploring subjects like the passing of time and the unconscious. Born in Spain and currently based in Paris, Pallarés borrows […]

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]]> Helena Pallarés’ illustrations can be divided into two main categories: portrait and abstract art. While her portraits feature people she admires, like actress Penelope Cruz and painter Frida Kahlo, her abstract work is more conceptual, exploring subjects like the passing of time and the unconscious.

Born in Spain and currently based in Paris, Pallarés borrows techniques from collage art, when composing her illustrations. Using paper cuttings from vintage magazines mixed with pencil drawings and digital finishing touches, the finished product is a hybrid between traditional and contemporary art.

This unique hybrid was born out of trial and error, says Pallarés. “In the beginning I didn’t know what I really wanted to do,” she admitted in an interview with Talenthouse. “So, most of the works that I did at that time were clumsy compositions mixing photo and oil painting.” Jump forward some years later, and her artwork is now featured in international magazines and showcased in exhibitions and art fairs.

According to Pallarés, her work is very much inspired by surrealist art, as well as the Dada movement. “I found Dadaism and Surrealism when I was studying graphic design at the university and somehow that changed my life,” she says. “I was blown away by how Dada artists used the composition, the typography, and the color. It just matched perfectly my way to understand the aesthetic of design and I suddenly found the answer for many questions about the meaning of contemporary art.”

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Voilà, this is my humble tribute to this wonderful actress and this memorable film that completely blew my mind. Thank you to all who have followed this special takeover of Penélope's collage portrait. It makes me glad to know that you really enjoyed me telling you about the process. This is quite a lonely job and it is not always easy to transmit all this passion. Thank you ♥ . . . . . . . . #penelopecruz #volver #portrait #tribute #almodovar #lovecinema #collageportrait #handmadeart #analogcollage #cutandpaste #drawing #artprocess #chicaalmodovar #originalart #creativeprocess #takeover #womenofart #artistsoninstagram #dessin #illustrationportrait #illustratrice #parisartist #theotherartfair #theotherartfairldn @theotherartfair @todoalmodovar @saatchiart @penelopecruzoficial

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I made these little prints in collaboration with @parisbonnenouvelle and they come along with every Parisian icon t-shirt bought on my website or on the urbansider’s : www.urbansider.com Which one do you prefer? Edith, Anaïs, Victor, Brigitte or Serge? Btw, it’s a limited edition so 🏃🏽‍♂️ to get yours! . . . . . . . . #urbansider #parisbonnenouvelle @brigittebardotbb @sergegainsbourgforever #edithpiaf #brigittebardot #anaisnin #sergegainsbourg #victorhugo #illustratrice #illustrationdaily #parisillustration #portrait #portraitillustration #frenchartist #icon #frenchicon #music #fashion #litterature #print #paris #illustrator #collageart #illustrationartist #illustratorofinstagram @picame @illustrarts #helenapallaresillustration

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]]> These Paintings are Mind-Boggling https://tettybetty.com/these-paintings-are-mind-boggling/ Wed, 11 Mar 2020 11:42:00 +0000 https://tettybetty.com/?p=32975 There’s an uncanniness to Kit King’s portraits. Reminding us of photographs more than anything else, her hyperrealistic paintings might alarm you at first with their incredible level of detail. Even more incredible is the fact that King hasn’t received any formal training through art school. “I’m sure you can learn a ton from art school,” […]

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]]> There’s an uncanniness to Kit King’s portraits. Reminding us of photographs more than anything else, her hyperrealistic paintings might alarm you at first with their incredible level of detail. Even more incredible is the fact that King hasn’t received any formal training through art school.

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Throughout the years I’ve explored various art media and the many techniques and approaches to each. The one I keep going back to seems to raise the most questions: OIL DRY BRUSH ON CLEAR GESSOED LINEN. This has become my signature media over the years, and is often mistaken for charcoal drawing on toned paper. Hard to tell from a little square photo on a small screen, but the difference between them is felt in person. In an effort to demystify this approach (I get so many DM questions pertaining to) I’ve been going through the process of what’s involved in one of my works and I’ve turned it into a highlight on my profile. Breaking down the process, how to correct errors, how I see the subject, and all captured in oil paint on linen. This medium is not forgiving! You cannot paint over it, and you cannot erase it. So if you make a mistake you have to really push yourself creatively to find ways to fix them. It is the one approach that destroys my body more than any other. You need to work fast to lift paint out, and not let it set until it’s just right. You need quick hand movements to blend smoothly. It takes a massive tole on me physically (have to ice my hands and wrists after each session), but I’m obsessed with it as a medium. I love the pressure of no error margine. I love the way it forces me to see and think creatively in terms of process and not just subject. I love that it is both loose and refined at the same time. I can be very stubborn and obsessive and yes, a control freak, and this medium forces me to be more malleable when things don’t go my way. It teaches me adaptability. It gives me a unique push and pull relationship with the artwork. I can never force my way on it, it has to happen how it’s going to happen. Sometimes the medium we choose to create in isn’t for the end result. Sometimes it’s for the pure joy of process. • Crop of current work in progress. Oil on clear gessoed Belgian linen.

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“I’m sure you can learn a ton from art school,” she relayed in an interview with Jung Katz, “but it depends on what you want to take from art, and where you want to go with it that should determine whether or not it’s for you. For me, I couldn’t imagine being ‘taught’ art. It’s one of the only free things in this world and I’ve personally gained so much from having the artistic process be 100% my own journey, untainted from outside influence.”

But with both her parents being artists, you could argue that she didn’t have much of a choice. “Art is life,” she puts it, simply. “Art is my breath, my escape, my happy place. Art is my own safe haven in a hectic world. It’s where I go to hide from it all, and is also where I go to enjoy it all.”

Judging by her massive online following (that includes more than 345k fans on Instagram), other people are enjoying her paintings just as well. She has also won several awards for it, and her work is kept in both private and public collections worldwide including the MET’s publication collection. It’s also exhibited worldwide, in galleries and museums.

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🔴Pastel on paper.

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]]> Looking For the Perfect Gift? Why Not Commission a Portrait https://tettybetty.com/looking-for-the-perfect-gift-why-not-commission-a-portrait/ Tue, 03 Mar 2020 08:08:00 +0000 https://tettybetty.com/?p=32760 About Face Illustration, an independent brand launched in 2016 and run by illustrator Paulina Kwietniewska, is dedicated to portraiture. Using a variety of tools that include watercolors, oils, and ink, Kwietniewska makes custom portraits (both paintings and illustrations), which are commissioned through her website. “I set up About Face Illustration when my daughter was about […]

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]]> About Face Illustration, an independent brand launched in 2016 and run by illustrator Paulina Kwietniewska, is dedicated to portraiture. Using a variety of tools that include watercolors, oils, and ink, Kwietniewska makes custom portraits (both paintings and illustrations), which are commissioned through her website.

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I still have space for one Valentine's portrait. DM me for the details! I also offer gift vouchers and DIGITAL VERSIONS of watercolour portraits for those who tend to think about gifts last minute. How does it work? You place a usual order and just send an email with the reference photo and preferred arrival date. If the time frame is really though, I will most likely be able to make the painting and scan it on time. You can then show it to your beloved one on the screen and just say it has a delay in arriving. You can also a) print it yourself b) print it on mugs, t-shirts, pillow cases, tote bags etc. c) print a few copies and give it to other family members/friends. To place an order, just follow the link in bio and choose your favourite custom portrait style. Love, P. #aboutfaceillustration #valentines #valentinedays #coupleportrait #2020weddings #bridetobe #customportrait #customart #portraitpainter #buyart #mothersmakers #motherhood #mothersinarts #smallbusiness #etsysuccess #etsyuk

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“I set up About Face Illustration when my daughter was about five months old,” she recalled in an interview with the Printed blog. “Sadly, I didn’t know much about marketing at the time, but I was on Instagram and I was following some other mums. One day, I noticed that one of the mums I followed was looking for an illustrator to paint her and her son, so I volunteered.”

That first illustration proved to be the very beginning of her brand. “Two months later it basically became my full-time job- and 3 years and 500 portraits later, here I am,” says Kwietniewska. Her portraits provide the perfect gifts and mementos for occasions such as weddings, birthdays, and other happy celebrations.

But when it comes to inspiration, Kwietniewska needs only look inside. “Most of my work comes from within really,” she says. “But I am easily inspired, I recently went to the BP Portrait Awards and I all I wanted to do was go home and paint. I also love literature. I adore Nabokov’s Lolita, which I had the pleasure to paint recently. Also, I paint quite a lot from my experience.”

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Another writer in my new collection of cards is Virginia Woolf. I honestly wonder how Woolf, Camus or Nabokov would do in the age of social media. It's probably the last thing I should say here but I limit my use of Instagram because I find it somehow kills my creativity. It's very easy to become a pleaser and as an aspiring artist, I'd much rather choose my influences. And so I struggle. As much as I love this community and the support it gives me is VERY appreciated, I want to stay true to myself and give value rather than distraction. So thank you if you're still here. X #aboutfaceillustration #aboutface #greetingcards #virginiawoolf #aroomofonesown #feministwriter #slowsocial #aboutfacelondon #mothersmakers #etsyuk #londonillustrator #writersportrait #femalewriters #womeninarts

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I've been trying to catch up with work for a couple of months now and I'm nearly there – which means I'll be able to take more custom orders soon. Get in touch if you're interested – waiting time can be as short as 3-4 weeks so you'd be able to get a portrait in time for Mother's Day. I'll also do my first sale next week. Make sure you're on my mailing list to know about it first! Hope you all had beautiful weekends and enjoyed the weather. I spent the morning at Highgate Woods binging on the sunshine. Looks like the spring came early this year – just what I needed. X #aboutfaceillustration #customportrait #customart #portraitpainter #portraitartist #commissionartist #art #aboutfacelondon #mothersmakers

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]]> The Uncanny Portraits of Martine Johanna https://tettybetty.com/the-uncanny-portraits-of-martine-johanna/ Sat, 29 Feb 2020 09:29:00 +0000 https://tettybetty.com/?p=32701 With over 90k followers on Instagram, Dutch painter Martine Johanna is a force to be reckoned with. Known for her realistic style of portraiture painting (which, more often than not, has a surreal edge to it), her work has been showcased in multiple solo shows in the Netherlands, Europe, and the United States. One feature […]

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]]> With over 90k followers on Instagram, Dutch painter Martine Johanna is a force to be reckoned with. Known for her realistic style of portraiture painting (which, more often than not, has a surreal edge to it), her work has been showcased in multiple solo shows in the Netherlands, Europe, and the United States.

One feature that makes her paintings stand out is her unique choice of color. Her subjects (mostly women) have a certain sheen to them and they look as though they’re actually glowing from inside. This unique glow also adds a layer of uncanniness to her paintings, making her subjects both familiar and unfamiliar.

“Most of the characters are not airbrush perfect or standard but the color palette makes you feel that they are perfect, so any dark circles under the eyes or intense expressions do not feel negative,” Johanna explained in an interview with The HYDE Magazine.

“I don’t want them to fall flat or be just pretty,” she went on to say. “I want life in them and experiences because that is what makes people interesting, But whatever the viewer feels I feel is completely up to them, although a lot of people feel a connection to these paintings and see something of themselves in them. And it is women and men that feel that connection.”

According to Johanna, her paintings have an emotional quality to them, based on dreams, personal experiences, and personality conflicts between the authentic self, taught mannerism and projected morality. “The work is mostly autobiographic, so a lot of it deals with childhood memories, fascinations and that whole zone between being a kid and growing up and all the emotional turmoil that comes with it,” she notes.

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I’m back! And this is my piece for 'LAX / MSY' Curated by Thinkspace. The show takes place ‪August 10 – August 24‬ in New Orleans, Louisiana in the French Quarter. The Opening Reception takes place during Dirty Linen Night. Taking Place At: Red Truck Gallery ‪940 Royal Street‬ ‪New Orleans, Louisiana 70116‬ **In the heart of the French Quarter** Opening Reception: ‪Saturday, August 10 from 6-10PM‬ **Dirty Linen Night** On view ‪August 10 through August 24, 2019‬ Excited to exhibit in New Orleans for the first time ever Red Truck Gallery this coming August. Over 100 artists will be taking part in “LAX / MSY” in what will be the largest collection of artists from the New Contemporary Movement under one roof to date in the south. Thinkspace IG @thinkspace_art Red Truck IG @redtruckgallery #LAXMSY #ThinkspaceFamily #RedTruckGallery #neworleans #dirtylinennight ABCNT Abigail Goldman Adam Caldwell Ador Alex Garant Alex Yanes Alexandra Manukyan Allison Sommers Alvaro Naddeo Amy Sol Anthony Hurd Anthony Solano Baldur Helgason Benjamin Garcia Brad Woodfin Brian Mashburn Bryan Valenzuela Caratoes Carl Cashman Casey Weldon Chase Mullen Chloe Becky Collin Van Der Sluijs Craig ’Skibs’ Barker Crash One Cristian Blanxer Daniel Bildodeau Darcy Yates David Cooley David Rice Derek Gores Drew Young Edith Lebeau Eduardo F. Angel Eelus Egg Fiasco Ermsy Fafi Fernando Chamarelli Fumi Nakamura Hanna Lee Joshi Huntz Liu JC Rivera Jeremy Hush Joram Roukes Josie Morway Kathy Ager Kayla Mahaffey Kelogsloops Kelly Vivanco Kelsey Beckett Ken Nwadiogbu Kevin Peterson Kobusher Koz Dos Kyle Bryant Lauren YS Leon Keer Linsey Levendall Lisa King Logan Hicks Lonac Louis Masai Luke Chueh Mando Marie Marie-Claude Marquis Martin Whatson Martine Johanna Max Sansing McKenzie Fisk Meggs Molly Gruninger Nicola Caredda Nomad Clan Nosego Nuno Viegas Oak Oak Olga Esther The Perez Bros PREF Rachel Strum Ricky Watts Roos van der Vliet Ryan Malley Samuel Rodriguez Sean Chao Sepe Sergio Garcia Seth Armstrong Sickid Spenser Little Stephanie Buer Stikman Super A Superdeux Telmo Miel Terry Arena TMRWLND Troy Lovegates Wiley Wallace Woes Yok & Sheryo Yosuke Ueno Yusei Abe Zezão

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]]> Following the Curve of the Road: Ed Fairburn’s Portraits https://tettybetty.com/following-the-curve-of-the-road-ed-fairburns-portraits/ Sat, 22 Feb 2020 11:30:00 +0000 https://tettybetty.com/?p=32631 Ed Fairburn uses paper he finds as maps for his canvas, making gradual changes to features like contours and roads until a face is formed from within the map itself. The finished result is a unique hybrid between man and landscape, begging questions about the ways in which a space or a location can define […]

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]]> Ed Fairburn uses paper he finds as maps for his canvas, making gradual changes to features like contours and roads until a face is formed from within the map itself. The finished result is a unique hybrid between man and landscape, begging questions about the ways in which a space or a location can define an identity.

Employing traditional tools such as ink or pencil, Fairburn intervenes with a range of original maps, spending hours at a time to complete each piece. A lengthy study of each map takes place beforehand, to understand better the landscape at hand.

The choice of maps in and of itself is significant. “I like a map that’s easy to fold away, but I don’t let that influence my choice,” Fairburn explained in an interview with yatzer. “I’ll either source my maps from charity shops or old book shops – we have lots of both here in the UK,” he added. “If I’m working on a specific commission I’ll usually source a map on the internet to make the most suitable choice, in terms of the location.”

When considering a map to work on, he looks at the patterns, orientation, and other characteristics, preferring the more “cluttered” maps, which according to him offer the most scope. In order to appreciate his work, it’s best to view it from afar. Take a step back.

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]]> Wangari Mathenge’s Portraits Make a Statement https://tettybetty.com/wangari-mathenges-portraits-make-a-statement/ Mon, 11 Nov 2019 05:38:55 +0000 https://tettybetty.com/?p=30364 Wangari Mathenge’s portraits are very straightforward – her subjects looking bold and confident. Through her art, the Kenya-born, California-based painter tackles issues regarding the visibility of black women in the context of both the traditional African society and the Diaspora. Using bold gestural strokes within structured compositions, her portraits depict herself as well as her […]

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]]> Wangari Mathenge’s portraits are very straightforward – her subjects looking bold and confident. Through her art, the Kenya-born, California-based painter tackles issues regarding the visibility of black women in the context of both the traditional African society and the Diaspora. Using bold gestural strokes within structured compositions, her portraits depict herself as well as her friends and acquaintances.

Like most artists, Mathenge’s creative passion sparked early on, and she first experienced painting in primary school, when her parents enrolled her into an after-school art class. “This was my first experience painting,” she told Art of Choice. “Even though we were outdoors, we painted unobserved landscapes, which generally took the form of rolling hills. Cityscapes and imagined village scenes with huts and market stalls were popular.”

But when she came of age, she never even considered becoming an artist, and as she moved to the US for college she enrolled in Howard University and Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, D.C, studying International Business and Law.

“From childhood, I had been guided to consider as a suitable venture a career in commerce, medicine, engineering or law,” she says. “Working as an artist was never on the table.” But living independently and removed from her family and formative culture gave her the space to look inwards. “Art was a tool that I used to find a connection with space.”

She hasn’t looked back since.

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