Josy Ebbs

Jilly
Oil on board
46.5 x 49.5cm
2019
£350

One Sixth Form College

My main area of focus in art is portraiture, often inspired by the old masters – focusing on detail, likeness and depth in skin tone. I use oil paints as they are blend easily and techniques are diverse, offering a range of outcomes and textures within paintings. I often like to capture the resting face as it portrays the sitter more personally, in a natural state. It also brings the most attention to the eyes, which are my favourite part to paint. I love to include as much detail as I can, especially in skin tone. I often exaggerate the subtle undertones and colour in the cheeks as it makes the skin seem more alive, adding to the drawing feeling of the painting. I am really inspired by portraiture and artists from the past as each one has their own subtle spin on their painting style and technique, using colours and brushstrokes unique to them. I would like my paintings to be recognisable as it makes art much more personal and fulfilling. I often paint members of my family, as it allows me to see them in a different way; I imagine a backstory for them as though they were the subject in a painting from the 1600s. I like to imagine that viewers of my paintings would do the same.