Zanzibar's Smile Painting

Theme: Africa. Creation: The work was created from the vision of an African man whose smile radiated warmth and joy. The goal was to capture not only the expression on his face, but the light and energy that emanated from his smile. Inspiration: Inspiration arose from seeing how a smile can transcend cultural barriers and reflect shared humanity. This portrait seeks to represent the simple yet profound joy of a moment. Anecdote: While looking at the reference photograph, I was struck by how his smile seemed to fill the scene with life. It was then that I decided to highlight the expression and details of the face, letting the joy be the center of the work. Key word: Joy. Conveying to others: The work wants to convey the power of the smile, the universality of happiness and the light that a person can radiate in the midst of any context. It is a tribute to the strength of the human spirit, which, despite the circumstances, always finds a reason to smile. Why these materials: The soft pastel allowed me to capture the shades and transitions of the different skin tones, achieving a depth and texture that highlight the depth and texture that bring out the warmth of the smile. Its ability to soft gradations and a precise handling of light and shadow was key in conveying the vital energy I was looking for.