1.Lunchtime

Oil on canvas

Unit 4 Art Making and Exhibiting

 The oil painting portrait explores the themes of human interaction and connection. The image pictures four subjects physically and emotionally interacting with each other, representing themes of adolescence, friendship, and finding comfort in other people. Inspired by previously studied oil paint artist, Mattia Preti, from the 17th century, Mears’s work reflects the storytelling and connection that Preti was most known for. The painting connects to the meaning and ideas of human interaction, through the direct portrayal of adolescent friendship, picturing positive emotions on the subjects faces. The painting also allows the audience to feel as though they are witnessing an event in time, as the viewpoint of the portrait allows the audience to view every subject and how they are interacting with each other. ​

The piece was painted using oil paints, as is tradition for portraits, as the paint takes days or sometimes weeks to dry, allowing an artist to revisit and refine pieces over extended periods of time. The use of material also contributed to the aesthetic qualities of the piece, allowing the viewer to understand a sense of tradition and history when viewing the painting. The most successful part of this piece was the ability to build on the paint, giving the artist flexibility when it came to mixing, layering and changing the colours on the canvas. Additionally, the paint allowed Mears to blend the colours more seamlessly, creating shading and gradient throughout the piece.