Artist's Statement

I'm a portrait artist originally from London, now living in the upper Swansea Valley. I take my inspiration from the Pre-Raphaelites and the painters of the Renaissance. Skill in drawing, and in the subtle and accurate use of colour, are vital to me as an artist. I want my portraits not only to draw out the essential character of my subjects, but to be appreciated for the quality of line and tone. I want visitors to my exhibitions to feel that the skill of an individual artist in drawing and painting is important.

My portraits are executed in pastel, in a unique hyper-realist style which has been praised by critics, the public, and the sitters themselves. The technique I have developed with pastel painting gives the work an incredibly rich, velvet finish. It also enables me to render accurately the textures of linen, leather, silk, wool, and of course, skin tones and hair.

Please take some time to look at the images on my site. If you want to buy a painting, discuss a commission, or send me feedback, you can email me through the Contact page.

News

I'm currently working on a new project which I'm calling Sport and Culture, a series of portraits of people involved in these areas. Sport and Culture will include people from diverse backgrounds and fields, united by excellence and the contribution they have made to our cultural and sporting life. I will be painting critics, patrons, facilitators and practitioners. The opening show will be at the Cynon Valley Museum, Aberdare, in June 2011. Watch this space.

I'm also working on a commission to paint Sir Roger Jones, which I'm due to complete at the end of October.

Lorraine Bewsey

Roland Mathias