Portrait – Chiaroscuro:

The Italian term “chiaroscuro” is a high-contrast art form based on the use of light and shadow. Typically one strong light source is used to create the look of the subject coming out of the shadows. This project was to create a chiaroscuro portrait of someone I admire using Photoshop. I started with a black canvas and added white paint to recreate this photograph of Angelina Jolie. The portrait took approximately twenty hours to complete.

I chose Angelina Jolie because I admire her strength as a female role model and mother. Her humanitarian and conservation efforts worldwide are inspiring and uplifting. Angelina has received multiple honors and public recognition spanning the last two decades. Her six children include three biological children, and three adopted from Cambodia, Vietnam, and Ethiopia.

Black and white Photoshop painting by Sherry Grissino

Original photograph by Hedi Slimane for Elle magazine