Double Portrait 

Charles Blackman created this Double Portrait using oil paints, applied in a deliberately crude manner. The thick, matte texture of the paint is evident, with brushstrokes that don't blend seamlessly, giving the figures a somewhat unfinished, raw quality. Blackman’s technique appears deliberately unrefined, and perhaps this aesthetic choice can be understood as a reaction against the slickness of modern industrial production. The rough surfaces and visible brushwork emphasize the hand of the artist, a direct engagement with the materials. The color palette, with its earthy tones and stark contrasts, is a crucial element. The heavy shadows and uneven application of paint contribute to the work's emotional intensity, suggesting isolation and uncertainty. In prioritizing process and materiality, Blackman elevates the act of painting itself. He shows us how the very process of making can carry social meaning.