Pete Humphreys has always been passionate about films, particularly intrigued by how directors use the camera to frame atmosphere and intensity. This cinematic technique deeply influences his approach to capturing moments and composing scenes and portraits. Inspired by the Impressionists, Pete admires their loose brushwork, which coalesces into a cohesive image from afar but breaks down into vigorous marks and strokes upon closer inspection. By merging these two influences, he creates iconic portraiture that not only captures the essence of his subjects but also the precise moment they inhabit.

Humphreys’ work is a testament to his ability to blend the meticulous framing of cinematic techniques with the dynamic and expressive brushwork of the Impressionists. This unique combination allows him to craft portraits that are both timeless and immediate, offering viewers a rich and layered visual experience, saying: “I search for subtlety, hidden glances and underlying motivation. I am not trying to fool the viewer into thinking that they are seeing a photograph, but rather am embracing the opportunity to interpret in paint while retaining a sense of honesty and accuracy.”

“As I am painting scenes and faces, the influence comes from the person that I am painting, the scene that they may be in and the vibe that is associated with the particular film/actor. I look for people that interest me and capture my attention. The film type will also influence how I paint – a Tarantino film will have a different style to a Marvel film. The situation that I paint will also have an influence: if the scene is action packed the painting will be more frantically made with rapid brush strokes and marks. I study faces and try to understand them, looking for nuances and feelings. The more that you study them the more you can incorporate them into your paintings. This adds authenticity and honesty to the portrait.”

Pete has enjoyed many successes over the years. He reached the BP Portrait Competition final selection round in London 2016, and won the Portrait Section of the St Helens Open Art Competition two years in a row. The latter winners’ exhibition was visited by Emma Rigby, Carley Stenson and Martin Murray who all praised their portraits; Lena Headey commented “Mad Skills!” and she and Russell Crowe both re-tweeted their portraits and promoted Pete’s work.