This portrait is based on a picture of a worker in an Italian monastery, published in an old edition of Du.
I love this man’s pronounced smile lines and there is something open and trusting about his large dark eyes. But at the same time he seems a little apprehensive, with his head bent a little forward and some hesitation about his smile. I called him mischievous because I think he has a naughty streak. Behind the innocent look I can imagine him planning a practical joke.
The original picture was black and white, so I had fun inventing the skin tones using shades of ochre and sienna with touches of a dark phthalo green.
This portrait is painted in acrylics on a 50cm x 50cm stretched canvas. It is finished with gloss acrylic varnish. It would need to be framed for display.
Art by Judy Backhouse 
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