This painting was created in 2020, the year I just graduated from college and was in a period of transition. The subject matter and style of painting continued from my college days.
The reference pictures for the series "Urban scene in architecture" all come from selfies taken by several of my friends. My friends and I met in the early days of "urban construction," and when I painted them, they were all hastily building themselves along with the urbanization process. This is the era I live in and the path that our peers in the same situation must take.
Inches: x in
Size without the frame: x cm
Country: China
Date: 2023
Materials: Oil paint on linen
Condition: well preserved
Creative themes and style | My works revolve around the creative concept of "The land of humanity, People on the land". The people in the painting are people in nature, and the lines, shapes, and colors are close to nature. The nature in the painting is nature in the eyes of humans, existing in interaction with humans.I don’t pursue a series of works with a fixed and continuous style. I hope that the style of the pictures will synchronize with the changes in my life and always remain oscillating. The performance of the work must be in sync with the development of one's own life in order to be Sincere and powerful. Ideas are later.
If you would like to collect this artwork or know more about the artist, please contact us.
art prints,artwork,oil painting,acrylic painting,art online.
The content focuses on the figure. The “V” - shaped gesture breaks the convention of static portraits, infusing the image with a sense of dynamics and interaction. Details like the hair strands and clothing folds anchor the authenticity of life. In terms of composition, the figure occupies the core. The extension of the gesture breaks the regular boundaries of the picture, forming a visual guide. The blurred treatment of the background makes the viewers’ eyes lock on the figure, strengthening the subject’s status. The color application is restrained.
The gray - toned background forms soft layers with the light - white clothing and skin color. There is no strong contrast, yet it conveys textures through subtle color differences. For example, the faded texture of the clothing and the warmth of the skin are all presented in low - saturation tones. The painting style is close to neo - realism. With relaxed brushstrokes, it outlines the contours. It doesn’t overly polish the details, retaining the “handmade feel” of painting. It has a realistic foundation and subjective expression. The emotional expression is implicit and vivid.
The casual gesture and the straight gaze convey the relaxation and truth in daily life, like a freeze - frame of an instant emotion, making viewers empathize with the freedom of youth. For similar artists, we can think of Avigdor Arikha. He uses simple compositions and restrained colors to capture the essence of figures. In presenting figures by “simplifying complexity” and conveying emotions through daily instants, this painting has a similar artistic logic. Using a seemingly plain portrait, it explores the vivid emotions in ordinary postures. It is a delicate writing of individual existence and instant feelings, making painting return to the essence of capturing real humanity, and showing profundity in simplicity.
Unlike the typical victory gesture, here the fingers are placed diagonally across the face, partially blocking the gaze. This creates a sense of partial concealment while emphasizing the theme of fragmented vision. The unique hand placement produces a psychological dissonance that feels both playful and distant, challenging the viewer’s expectations.
The muted gray-purple background echoes the figure’s white clothing, diminishing the warmth of the skin tones and establishing an atmosphere that is restrained, cool, and slightly detached. This tonal choice allows the work to move beyond the sweetness of traditional portraiture, embodying the austere character of modernist portrait painting.
With its low-saturation palette, clean composition, and symbolic gesture, this style of contemporary portrait oil painting integrates seamlessly into minimalist or modern interiors. It not only contributes to the mood of the space but also serves as a strong visual focal point that sparks dialogue.
Although much of the canvas feels loose and atmospheric, the eyes are depicted with crisp lines and concentrated brushwork. This contrast directs the viewer’s attention irresistibly toward the gaze, intensifying the work’s psychological tension.
The half-length composition balances intimacy with autonomy, making the work both personal and independent as a collectible artwork. Within today’s art market, where realism merges with conceptual portraiture, such paintings are attractive as entry-level acquisitions for younger collectors, while their distinctive gestures and cool-toned palette also promise long-term value in contemporary art collecting.
A: Click here to view ARTPHILOSO's Guide for Collectors.
