2

20 x 20 cm, oil on canvas
I wanted to paint a portrait of my son, one which might become a family heirloom. I felt the picture should not be typical of the imagery that is often used to portray children, but that it should capture his individual presence and intensity. This is not the sum total of his character but it is one of the expressions I’m often greeted with, I expect to see this expression a lot more as he gets older.
This painting was also an opportunity to use techniques which emphasised the contrast between the plump smoothness of a two year old’s complexion with the highly textured wool of his hat and duffle coat. (Shown at the BP Portrait Award 2009).