Stewart Beckett: ‘Painting a portrait in oils’

Stewart Beckett specialises in oil portraiture, focusing on capturing the sitter’s character and essence through careful use of light, form, and the sculptural qualities of the face. Drawing inspiration from human connection and emotion, Stewart Beckett aims to create meaningful portraits.

During a live demonstration with volunteer Brenda, Stewart began by sketching the face and central features on a mid-grey painted board, using broad, fluid brushstrokes. The initial palette included a blend of black, white, and chromium green for the hair, complemented by a generic light skin tone. He emphasised starting with the lightest tones and considering their relationship to surrounding areas, noting that early stages involve a degree of uncertainty.

Stewart then developed depth by introducing contrasting light and shadow, beginning with the eye sockets using a purple and orange mix, enhanced with cerulean blue and an orange-red. Similar techniques were applied to the nose and its shadows, maintaining loose strokes, with highlights added to the forehead using yellow and white. The transition at the hairline was refined, followed by a rough outline of the shoulders to anchor the head within the composition.

Further definition was achieved by accentuating the ridge between the eyes, darkening the skin tone to a pinkish brown, and refining the relationship between hair and face. Under the eyebrows, lighter tones were applied, and reflections of light were carefully considered to maintain an authentic yet flexible appearance. Stronger marks in cerulean blue and black were placed around the collar, with pink and purple tones for the neck and violet for shadows. Final detailing was executed with a small brush, adjusting elements as needed. Unfortunately, the portrait was not finished on the night, requiring additional days for completion.