Anastasia by Zoe C in Horley

I'm a portrait artist based around London and Surrey, working in a mix of black and white dry mediums including charcoal, soft pastel, chalk and conte. I work specifically in black and white to allow the tones, texture and mark making to take centre stage. I can make quick 15 minute portrait sketches - perfect for events - or through to hours long drawings which may have a more painterly (but not painted) style depending on the clients wishes. Although drawing gets less attention in the art world than painting, often it's drawings which draw the biggest gasps in exhibitions (such as the charcoal figure studies at the Jenny Saville retrospective at the National Portrait Gallery). Drawing makes you look twice. With drawing, there's nowhere to hide; the layers of construction are transparent, revealing the beginning end and in-between. My background is actually in fashion design, studying at LCF (UAL) but after some years I now focus on my passion for portraiture. The majority of my portfolio will show works from life, ranging from quick 15 minute sketches to longer pose portraits ranging from 1 hour to about 6 hours, which means you may perceive different 'styles'. Please note some portraits went immediately home with the sitter, accounting for variation in lighting/polish of portfolio images. My Instagram profile is my personal record of work and practice; It's far more interesting and engaging to show one's progression and journey, so it's completely uncurated. Don't be put off!