Pip's Art Projects: My Little National Portrait Gallery Bible

I wasn’t aware of the BP Portrait award until my foundation year in 2008. I spent the final term of the year producing figurative paintings, and it was at this point that one of my tutors suggested that I should enter. It was something that really interested me, as I would really like to go into portraiture. Over the summer holidays after the completion of the foundation course I started working on a portrait of my Grandpa. The piece was entered, but was not accepted (although I wasn’t surprised by this. I just really wanted to have a go). But I did decide to invest in a guide of the shortlisted works. And I’m so glad I did!
I love my BP Portrait Award 2010 booklet. I actually do carry it everywhere with me. It’s just so handy to flick through when I’m feeling lost with my project. And believe me, recently that’s been a lot!

I wanted to take the opportunity to select a few of my favourites from the booklet to show you too.

Raoul Martinez's composition choice is really innovative, and something I feel quite inspired by. It is rejecting the normal rules of portraiture with its plain white background and the large amount of space above the figure. But this is the exact reason why it pulls us in. In a way it's style is similar to a family photoshoot, but because it is painted the work has a much more powerful effect. To me, the space above the figure gives the illusion of thought or spirituality. This is something I would like to explore in my own work.


Raoul Martinez- 'Alan Rickman'

Bruce Hanke's entry, a portrait of his son, was one I found quite humerous. Although I'm not sure if I should. It could hold quite a serious statement, but there's something about the adolescent pose that seems quite awkward and mischievous.


Bruce Hanke- 'Like Father'

Nathan Ford's work really interests me because of the disintegration of the facial features into the matrix of the background. It reminds me of the work of Francis Bacon. I feel that it could represent the transience of life. I am absolutely fascinated by Ford's portraiture and will definitely research his work further.

Nathan Ford

Nathan Ford- 'Paul'

I feel I must mention Butler's quirky entry, 'The Rubbish Bin Men'. It is again the humor of these two eccentric characters standing awkwardly in unsusual suits which makes this such a memorable piece. Also the way the title 'The Rubbish Bin Men' can be twisted to different meanings.
Are they bin men? or are they rubbish at being bin men?

Jason Butler- 'The Rubbish Bin Men'

Jason Butler -'Peter'

What makes this painting so beautiful is the reality of the luminostity of the skin, the choice of palette and directional lighting. It seems so ghoistly and calm. The figure seems in her own bubble, not making eye contact with the viewer and not within any recognisable space, which I believe is a powerful metaphor for the affect an iPod has on us.

Michal Ozibiko- 'iDeath'

I enjoy the painterly yet realistic style of Nicola Philipps's work. Philipps works from life and I feel that the texture of the paint adds a quality of this interaction with her sitters.