3rd Place Winning Entry, 2024 Portraits Competition
Xiong Yanteng, Self Portrait, colored pencil
Xiong Yanteng
Award-winning artist, Xiong Yanteng, has always had a passion for Western classical oil paintings, so after graduating from the Academy of Fine Arts, Minzu University of China, he moved to the U.S. to further his studies. Now based in San Francisco, he creates minutely detailed portraits, striving to reach the level of realism associated with the classical Western tradition.
Yanteng's art has won many first place and top three awards in international competitions, he exhibits his work all over the world, and has been featured in prestigious art magazines. He is a member of the Portrait Society of America and the Professional Alliance of American Artists.
Xiong Yentang, Model Under the Blue Sky, colored pencil
Yanteng's Self Portrait has tied for 3rd Place in our Portraits Competition. These are his thoughts about the artwork and the process behind it:
“This piece is not only a rendering of appearance, but also a process of re-understanding oneself. After painting alone for a long time, I suddenly wanted to paint a self-portrait and have a dialogue with myself. Facing a world that is changing so fast, I want to deeply explore my inner world, touch my soul, and listen to the voice deep in my heart.
"When I create a portrait in colored pencil, I begin by creating a precise pencil draft. I take this step very seriously, as an accurate draft is key. I start with the features, then the skin, the hair, and finally the clothes. As I work on each area, I step back frequently to observe the overall effect of the painting and to ensure that the parts are well within the overall relationship and rhythm, and I adjust the work if necessary.
Xiong Yanteng, Old Man with White Hair, colored pencil
"We all encounter trivial matters in life and face difficulties and challenges. Through self-portraits, I hope to convey to the viewer that no matter what we're going through, we must bravely face our truest self, believe that we can do it, and strive to become a better version of ourselves."