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Awkward yet sweet portrait paintings that demand your attention

Los Angeles-based artist Brian Calvin has created this series of awkward yet sweet portraits entitled 'Head', where he simply concentrates on the face with a minimal use of facial features and backgrounds to give a more dramatic impact.

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Via Creative Boom submission. All images courtesy of the artist and Anton Kern Gallery

Via Creative Boom submission. All images courtesy of the artist and Anton Kern Gallery

You almost get a sense of Japanese art, as the canvas is drenched with bright yet muted colours and dotted with simple, sharp shapes and lines. Brushstrokes leap out of each painting to add expressive accents and make the characters come to life. What's more, the eyes – seemingly heavy under rainbows of eyeshadows – seem to become the focal point, demanding the attention of the viewer and forcing you to engage with each subject.

Calvin's work almost leaves you feeling uncomfortable as you stare back at his angst-ridden, awkward characters. More of his beautiful work can be discovered via the Anton Kern Gallery.

Portrait of a figure with curled auburn hair wearing bright pink glasses and holding a cigarette, painted against a pink background by Brian Calvin
Stylised portrait of a face in profile with pale skin, blue eyes with coloured eyeshadow, and blonde hair against a muted green background
Close-up portrait of a figure with blonde wavy hair, green eyes with blue eyeshadow, brown arched brows, and pale skin with pink lips by Brian Calvin
Portrait of a person with angular features, golden brown eyes with blue eyeshadow, pale complexion and pink lips against a coral red background, from Brian Calvin's 'Head' series
A young woman with reddish-brown hair and blue eyes drinks from a decorative glass against a dark blue background in Brian Calvin's portrait painting
Portrait of a figure with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a white t-shirt, arms crossed, against a pale green background, by Brian Calvin
Close-up illustration of parted pink lips with white teeth and orange inner lip detail against a cream background
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