This portrait depicts a young man with an amaryllis, bathed in warm sunlight. The fresh, dynamic use of colour flows seamlessly into a vibrant, expressive background, creating a vivid sense of atmosphere. His calm, steady gaze offers a compelling contrast to the surrounding radiance, striking a balance between stillness and energy. Inspired by Jenny Saville’s bold use of thick oil paint to build dimension or obscure tonal values, Edward adopts a similar approach here. Colours from the background subtly transfer into the subject’s cheeks, either naturally absorbed or deliberately placed to heighten contrast and deepen the emotional tone of the piece.
