Photorealistic paintings by Jantina Peperkamp

Portraits that could almost be mistaken for photographs. But how does she do it and what's her motivation? She explained: "In my paintings, the final result is established by the energy that arises between the artist and her model. The artist functions as an observer and as an identifier. Because I consider all my paintings as self-portraits, it is very important that I recognise myself in my models.

"A photoshoot takes place. After that, a sketch is made, which is very detailed. I put this sketch on a wooden panel. The painting is made with very many thin layers of acrylic paint. Every layer is more detailed.

"The effect is a very realistic portrait with his own identity. The unusual way my work is cut out makes it even more recognisable. All the unnecessary is stripped off with the intention to maintain only the essential."