Jake — A Hundred Faces: Brushstrokes of Humanity

Jake is the second of three siblings I’m painting for my A Hundred Faces: Brushstrokes of Humanity portrait project. His sister Molly came first, and his brother Ford will complete this wonderful trio.

Photographed in his catcher’s gear, Jake immediately gave me something I love to paint: personality. His bright, slightly mischievous smile and tousled hair seemed to capture a boy completely at home behind the plate.

In this 8 × 8 acrylic portrait, I wanted to preserve that youthful energy rather than smooth it away. Visible, expressive brushstrokes move through his hair and face, with unexpected touches of lavender, rose, gold and blue woven into his skin tones. The deep blue of his catcher’s gear creates a strong frame around his face and gives the small painting an almost larger-than-life presence.

Painting siblings is especially interesting to me. There are family resemblances, of course, but each face has its own expression, coloring and character. Molly and Jake could not feel more individual—and that is exactly what I hope this project celebrates.

A Hundred Faces: Brushstrokes of Humanity is my ongoing series of 100 original painted portraits exploring the people, personalities and stories that make each face unique. Jake joins the growing collection as another small painting with a story all his own.

Jake

A Hundred Faces: Brushstrokes of Humanity

8 × 8 inches

Acrylic on gesso board

Original portrait by Kara Manza