Ben Painting

I have worked from my studio in North London for the last twelve years painting people from the unknown to the very well known, from celebrities to private commissions. In my portraits I attempt to go beyond the likeness to capture the essence of my subjects, directing their gaze to draw the viewer in. I often incorporate personal objects and references, some requested by the sitter, creating a collage of thoughts, a narrative that reveals the sitters very self. I paint in a style that has been described as painterly yet realistic, both colourful and descriptive. I have a particular interest in the theatre and theatrical portraiture and for the past few years I have been creating a collection of portraits featuring actors from the London stage set in their dressing rooms. These portraits capture actors in the process of transition from self to character revealing actor, character and production in one painting. They are a study of the artistry of character acting, a privileged glimpse into a private moment. My most recent sitters have included Sheila Reid(Pericles, Sam Wanamaker Theatre 2016) Greta Scacchi (as Baby Jane /Bette Davis in Bette and Joan Arts Theatre 2011) ,Celia Imrie (Noises Off, Novello Theatre 2012 and Linda Marlowe (Mother Adam completed 2013). I work using traditional oil painting techniques - painting in fine layers utilizing the translucent properties of oil paint. This is not a 'fast painting a day' method of working and my paintings typically take three to four months to complete. In addition I am a portrait painting tutor - teaching small classes of five from my studio at the Chocolate Factory in North London.