Expressive portrait painting from the “Hunters” series

The large-format painting “Olivia” was created in 2004 in Berlin and belongs to my series “Hunters”. In this series I explore the themes of competition, observation, and human behavior.

The portrait shows the face of a young woman with an open, almost exaggerated smile. Her gaze appears attentive and direct, while her expression seems to carry a certain irony. The slightly doubled contours of eyes and mouth create a subtle movement in the face and lend the painting a particular tension.

The work moves between expressive portrait painting and contemporary figurative art.

The painting "Olivia" at a glance

Title
Olivia

Size
150 × 140 × 7 cm

Technique
Oil paint on glue and concrete

Category
expressive painting · contemporary art

Series
Hunters

Created
2004 in Berlin

Frame
yes

Shipping
1–3 business days

Expression and impact of the portrait

The image is dominated by the face of the depicted figure. The large eyes and broad smile immediately draw the viewer’s gaze. At the same time, small irritations arise through painterly overlays: lines shift slightly, contours double, individual paint runs traverse the face.

These painterly interventions create a tension between friendliness, observation, and inner concentration. The figure appears both open and mysterious – as if she were observing the viewer just as much as she herself is being observed.

Preparation of the painting

For this painting, I first primed a chipboard panel with cement and added texture. After it had dried, I coated the entire surface with a layer of glue and then screwed it onto a canvas.

This combination of solid materials and canvas creates an especially stable yet unusual painting surface. The structure influences the effect of the oil paint and supports the expressive character of the painting.

The “Hunters” series

The painting “Olivia” is part of my series “Hunters”, in which I explore the theme of competition.

Many portraits in this series emerge from found images by chance. Advertising photos, brochures or reportages show countless human faces. Some of these images trigger thoughts in me about competition, ambition or playful rivalry.

In my painting, these people become figures of a larger theme. They stand less for concrete individuals than for human roles within competition and observation.

You can find more works from this series in the collection “Hunters”. Further inspiration of this kind can be found under large-format paintings or figurative art.

Free shipping

Personal delivery within the Wiesbaden area and shipping of the artwork usually take place on Tuesdays and are free of charge.

If you wish, a different appointment can of course be arranged. During the Hessian school holidays there may be delays due to vacation. Any delivery breaks will be announced in the header of the homepage.

About me

I have been working as a freelance painter since 1997 and have engaged with a wide range of artistic themes during this time.

Until around 2007 my focus was predominantly on expressive painting. Today I work more strongly in the field of experimental art.

You can find more about my personal background and various artistic themes in the About me section.

Any questions?

You can reach me by phone at
0176-21916227

or by email to
markhellbusch@web.de