This grayscale portrait captures an early emergence of the psychological intensity that would later define my chromatic work. The extreme close crop creates a sense of claustrophobic intimacy, placing the viewer within the subject’s breathing space. Subtle textures—freckles, tonal shifts, and stray hair across the face—introduce a raw, unpolished realism that heightens the emotional presence.

The eyes are stark and reflective, anchoring the portrait with a quiet, haunted focus. Minimalist shading around the lips and cheeks adds to the fragile stillness of the composition. Though created early in my practice, this piece foreshadows the interior tension and atmospheric closeness central to my mature portrait style.