Brendan Hopkins
Tulsa, OK
Brendan Hopkins is a watercolor portrait artist known for his striking and emotive works. His unique style captures the depth and personality of his subjects, with a focus on detail and sometimes subtle use of color. In 2024, Brendan earned first place in the Crossroads Juried Exhibition at the Red Autumn Art Festival, a testament to his skill and dedication to the craft.
As an artist, I am inspired by the complexity of human emotion and expression. My work primarily focuses on watercolor portraiture, where I strive to capture the raw essence of my subjects. Everyone wants to be seen in some way, shape or form. Capturing the essence of a person and filtering them through my lens, brings satisfaction to myself and the subject. Through my portraits, I aim to highlight the subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) nuances of light, shadow, and color, revealing a story behind each face. Every brushstroke is an attempt to communicate the unique personality and history of the individual I am portraying, inviting viewers to pause and reflect on their own experiences and emotions. My creative process is simple. I work from photographs, carefully considering the nuance of my subject. It can often be very intimate as I memorize the details of the face. Ultimately, my vision as an artist is to find the balance between dark and light, in the painting and in the individual themselves.
During the Covid pandemic I decided to pursue watercolor as it had always captured my curiosity. I bought some cheap paper and paints and through trial and error slowly began to build a foundation and sharpen my skillset.
https://www.instagram.com/b.m.hopkins/
