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Barstool Philosophers: Joseph Loughborough's mysterious charcoal and pastel portraits

In his intriguing series The Barstool Philosophers, British artist Joseph Loughborough draws multiple layers of charcoal and pastel colours finished with the heavy texture of Oilbar to create portraits of mysterious characters.

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Portrait with dark silhouette face covered in red and blue gestural marks against pink background, from Joseph Loughborough's The Barstool Philosophers series

Honesty, expressionism and catharsis can be read from Joseph’s impulsive and intuitive mark making, which strive to grasp a comprehension of the human condition. Drawing inspiration from various themes concerned with Camus/Kierkegaard's notion of ‘Absurdity’, each drawing becomes a decadent theatre of emotion, sexuality and movement. Lonely human forms seem to struggle and ponder the sporadically lit space they occupy without reaching the point of a dramatic emotional encounter.

Joseph spent his formative years exploring the derelict boatyards and creeks of Portsmouth, on the south coast of the UK. After graduating from Portsmouth University he pursued interests in art, philosophy and skateboarding culture, living in London, Paris and currently Berlin.

If you love these artworks, you can purchase them via his online shop. Discover more about Joseph at Josephloughborough.co.uk or follow him on Instagram @josephloughborough.

Via Creative Boom submission | All images courtesy of the artist

Charcoal and pastel portrait of a mysterious figure with red and orange marks across the face against a bright blue background, from Joseph Loughborough's The Barstool Philosophers series
Abstracted portrait with white handprints obscuring the face against turquoise background, layered with red, orange and yellow charcoal and pastel marks suggesting emotion and movement
Abstract portrait with blue-toned face featuring red charcoal and pastel marks across nose and mouth, layered with heavy textured brushwork on white background
Abstract portrait with red, blue and yellow pastel layered over charcoal on pink textured background, from Joseph Loughborough's The Barstool Philosophers series
Abstract portrait with luminous blue outline and dark red central form against black background, from Joseph Loughborough's Barstool Philosophers series
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