What makes a strong portrait? Stylistically, it’s wide open to the viewer’s taste and use in context. But what is the essence of a great representation of a human being? Ben Tallon is joined by Beka Smith to discuss personalities, eccentricity, warmth, how others perceive the subject and other variable things to consider when creating a creative likeness.

Beka is a London based portrait artist who’s work has been seen in the BP Portrait Award and on Sky TV’s Portrait Artist of the Year show. After an uncertain start, trying to work out a creative career path that felt right for her, she found her way into portrait art in an unconventional way, with some hilarious and touching stories along the way. Beka tells us how she attains portrait commissions and the many, many things that most people do not consider that a portrait artist has to go through!

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