Emma Rush

Starting a new painting, my goal is always to try something different, learn something new, and to gain more confidence in my skill. The typical viewer of Photorealistic art will firstly be impressed by the startling realism recreated in this genre of painting. The striking reflections in a teary eye, capturing every freckle and wrinkle on a face. Like all photorealists, I aim to create a realistic image. Some realist painters can duplicate this reality so detailed and precise that a painting is often mistaken for a photograph. This is not my main preoccupation - the journey from the beginning to the end is what fascinates me. Going through different emotions from trepidation looking at a blank canvas to frustration from not mixing the right colour to a moment of pure joy knowing that it is complete and you can see the resemblance. For me, this is what it is all about.

I apply paint to canvas in any way that I can to create texture and depth. Using a mixture of brushes, sponges and my fingers to blend allows me to keep building layers until I have got the desired effect. I also like to exaggerate brush strokes, lines and scratches to ensure the viewer always knows that it is still painting. Going through all these emotions, expe...