WorkArt & Culture

Striking fine art paintings by Alana Richards capture the soul of each of their subjects

Is there anything more captivating than a characterful face? A distinctive shape, individual haircut and kaleidoscopic eyes all make up a person. And for this series of paintings, characterisation is offered by the bucket load.

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Portrait painting of a person with pale skin, green-rimmed eyes, dark hair and red lips, rendered in expressive brushstrokes against a muted background

Alana Richards is a Berlin-based painter originally from Ireland. After wandering, studying and living impulsively, the artist moved to Paris and then into the depths of Berlin in 2008.

Drawing from an eclectic range of influences and rich experiences, Richards' work focuses on portraiture and an interest that lies in "capturing the soul of her subject", as well as revealing subtle insights into herself.

The initial photo sessions for each new work are a vital part of the process, as a close interaction with the subject sparks initial ideas, which are drawn and then painted with oil.

Her technique is borrowed from artists such as Degas and Manet, and although the paintings are classically composed, the result has a freshness that is contemporary. Layers, then, are often built up and torn apart, only to be rebuilt again, often giving the subject a complex and hidden history within the frame. Discover more at alanarichards.co.uk.

Portrait painting of a person with a geometric face against a dark background, wearing a bright red garment
Portrait painting by Alana Richards of a person with long dark hair and pale complexion against a blue-grey background, rendered in oil with stark black and white tones
Profile portrait of a person with dark hair and pale skin wearing a black garment, painted in muted earth tones and cream against a neutral background
Portrait painting of a woman with reddish-brown hair and fringe, eyes closed, rendered in warm tones against a green background
Oil painting by Alana Richards of a person with reddish-brown hair styled upwards, shown in profile against a grey background with subtle tonal variations across their face and neck
A painted portrait of a man in profile facing left, with dark hair and facial hair, rendered in muted greys and greens with white highlights against a pale background
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