Release - Latest Oil Painting in progress from start to finish

My latest finished oil painting is a 31cm x 31cm square oil painting. This paintings emotions theme that I wanted to express, was frustration. I want to explore more extreme emotions as a series after my previous oil painting, Uncertainty. See this painting in progress with comments on the process.

I was really happy with how the painting came out, as it started with painting over a previous painting. As an artist sometimes we create paintings that dont come out as well as we hope, I decided not to hold onto it anymore and paint over it and I am so glad that I did. I created a painting that I am really proud of.

I am not normally a portrait artist, I have been creating mostly abstract acrylic paintings over the last few years, so this is exciting and new for me to create new themes.

I documented the journey through photos and videos as you can see on Instagram or all collated here in my blog as I explain my journey from start to finish. You can see how the painting evolved and went through "ugly"phases.

Check out my Instagram Reel below where I begin painting "Release" and blocking in some shapes/colours...

Painting in progress - Release photo 1

Painting in progress - Release photo 2

Painting in progress - Release photo 3

Close up of oil painting Release, ladies hands

Close up of oil painting Release, ladies face

Close up of oil painting Release, ladies face crop

Instagram Reel/Video - I found a reference photo capturing the emotion that I wanted to portray. As I was painting over a previous painting, and then a added some texture with tissue scrunched and glued onto the canvas as well as covering it in some colour and then sketching out the shape (see Reel video above)

Photo 1 - After blocking down some colour I start getting into more detail and add facial features and work on the hand. Really blocking out the features and body helps me get into the right frame of mind into adding more detail.

Photo 2 - More detail is added on the face (especially mouth) and top.

Photo 3 - Between photo 2 and 3 is where you see the most of the transformation, finer brushes and a lot more detail. In this period I really have a look at the proportions of the face and adjust as I go. The hair was a lot of fun to add detail. I also added shades and shadows to the shirt.

Photo 4,5,6 - The final artwork close up images. The texture really shines through and I believe further illustrates my theme and what I want to express.

The final "Release", hopefully you can feel the scream coming off the canvas!

I hope you enjoyed a little more detail on the process of painting "Release"! Have a great weekend and keep creating.

SV x