“I wanted a powerful picture” Sylvia Mac on Love Disfigure

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“I wanted a powerful picture”…

Emmeline Downie in conversation with Sylvia Mac (@love_disfigure)

Videography by Callum Hale-Thomson

‘Love Disfigure’ by Alastair Adams

Category: News21st September 2020

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Royal Society of Portrait Painters

To promote the practice of and further excellence in painted portraiture

Royal Society of Portrait Painters

7 days ago

#Annualexhibition2026:Our Annual exhibition is back... This year includes a fantastic selection of events - view it via the link in our bio or website: www.therp.co.ukToday we share non-member David Rees Davies exhibiting portrait... "A portrait made in watercolour of an old friend John Cahill I’ve known for nearly fifty years.John, an artist, lost the sight of one his eyes as a result of a disastrous routine eye operation many years ago. It is only within the last ten years that he was able to regain strength and determination to start painting again and as a result overcome his understandable self consciousness to be observed at close proximity.His companion Pablo had been his dearest companion throughout this time and the subject of his and my canine sketches. Not long after the completion of this watercolour Pablo passed away at a ripe old age for a Jack Russell terrier and I felt I needed to posthumously configure him into the composition.So the sitting became a double portrait, celebratory and memorial."-David Rees Davies When?7 May – 19 May, (closed to the public all day 12 May)Open 10am to 5pm otherwise @mallgalleries!Image: David Rees Davies, 'Portrait of John Cahill & The Ghost of Pablo'@davidreesdavies5024 ... See MoreSee Less

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Royal Society of Portrait Painters

1 week ago

#Annualexhibition2026:Our next Annual exhibition is here, showing from 7th May @mallgalleries!Today we share non-member Jason Bentley's exhibiting portrait... "Jason is an American classical realist artist living in Scotland and recent graduate at the Glasgow Academy of Fine Art (now the Ayrshire Atelier of Fine Art). He is devoted to modern academic methods with focus on the portrait and figure, and keeps a studio in the Merchant City area of Glasgow. There, he enjoys making personal work, taking commissions, and teaching, but the breathtaking scenery of the Highlands and surrounding areas often inspires him to take his painting to the field and record the many personalities of the Scottish atmosphere."Isabella With Dried Flowers - Drawing Study" is a drawing created as a preparatory work for the final oil painting of the same name. Intended to navigate compositional and gestural challenges. In my practice, drawing studies for paintings are generally smaller, simpler constructs. But I found this composition deserving and able to stand on its own as a more developed work. Plus I was compelled to work further as I love drawing so much, and this was one of my first times using brown pencil. The addition of graphite in the turning halftones and white chalk in the highlights brings a satisfying variety in completing the form. This project was an evolution of ideas with successes and failures. Through clothing changes and compositional errors, I spent around 60 hours with Isabella to make the two works. This drawing took around 20 of those hours."-Jason BentleyThis year includes an exquisite events programme - view it via the link in our bio or website: www.therp.co.ukWhen?7 May – 19 May, (closed to the public all day 12 May)Open 10am to 5pm otherwise @mallgalleries!Images: Jason Bentley, 'Isabella With Dried Flowers - Drawing Study' & Studio shot@jasonmbentley ... See MoreSee Less

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Royal Society of Portrait Painters

1 week ago

#DrawingPrizeExhibition2026:OPEN CALLOur Drawing Prize: Revealing the Human is back for its second year!Find out more here: www.therp.co.uk or link in bio.The Almenara Collection Prize – awarded to an exhibitor who shows distinctive promise and in the opinion of the jurors will benefit from this residential opportunity in Andalucía, southern Spain.Read more here: www.thealmenaracollection.com/page/40172/art-residencies Deadline: artopps.co.uk/opportunities/rpdrawingprize-26 Image: 2025 Winner – David Jamieson ‘Pathologist – Portrait of Dr Maurice Jamieson’ ... See MoreSee Less

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Royal Society of Portrait Painters

2 weeks ago

#DrawingPrizeExhibition2026:Drawing Prize: Revealing the Human 2026 OPEN CALL IS HERE!Selected works will be exhibited at the University of Hull Art Gallery, with up to 120 artworks chosen by a distinguished panel.With a chance to win the £5,000 RP Drawing Prize & The Almenara Collection Prize – awarded to an exhibitor who shows distinctive promise and in the opinion of the jurors will benefit from this residential opportunity in Andalucía, southern Spain.Read more here: www.thealmenaracollection.com/page/40172/art-residencies Find out more or go to the link in our bio: therp.co.uk/the-rp-drawing-prize/-You can still purchase many of last years exhibitors via our website too!Image: James Hague RP, 'Untitled (Man with Plant)' 70 x 50@jameshagueartist ... See MoreSee Less

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Royal Society of Portrait Painters

2 weeks ago

#Annualexhibition2026:Our next Annual exhibition is here, displaying the most phenomenal portraits.Today we share non-member Jordan Morgan exhibiting portrait... "This piece is a charcoal and graphite drawing on paper (41.91 cm x 55.88 cm) of my father, titled Dad #4, Gary Lynn Morgan, created while he was in the hospital on a ventilator. It was developed through a combination of life drawing and photography. Unfortunately, he passed away the day the initial sketches were started.I completed several compositional studies over the course of a few months, though the final version was completed in approximately seven sessions, each lasting three to four hours. I do not typically begin a drawing or painting the same way every time. For this piece, I first established the overall structure linearly. As I developed and corrected the structure, I moved into values—often destroying and rebuilding the image in the process.My father has been a model for me for many years. This is my fifth consecutive year exhibiting in the Annual Exhibition, and the third time a portrait of him has been included."-Jordan MorganThis year includes an exquisite events programme - view it via the link in our bio or website: www.therp.co.ukWhen?7 May – 19 May, (closed to the public all day 12 May)Open 10am to 5pm otherwise @mallgalleries!Image: Jordan Morgan, 'Dad #4' ... See MoreSee Less

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“I wanted a powerful picture” Sylvia Mac on Love Disfigure

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