Socratic Method, 12x16 inches oil on canvas panel by Kenney Mencher
FREE SHIPPING Shipping takes 3-4 Weeks This ships from Round Lake Beach, Illinois. A suburb outside of Chicago. I use UPS and sometimes US Post.
My oil painting Socratic Method is a portrait that is 12x16-inches on a canvas panel. I used the alla prima technique, meaning the paint was applied in one session while still wet. This approach is meant to give the artwork an immediate, expressive feel with visible, energetic brushstrokes. The color palette consists of reds, whites, and blues, creating strong contrasts and highlighting the texture of the paint. The subject is a close-up portrait of a male figure, taking up most of the canvas, with little background detail to distract from the face. Rather than using traditional perspective to create depth, I relied on the thickness of the paint and varied brushstroke intensity to build form and dimension. The figure is painted from a frontal view, directly engaging the viewer, with exaggerated proportions that emphasize the fullness of the cheeks, lips, and the depth of the eyes. The rough textures and strong lighting, coming from the upper left, cast dramatic shadows that further define the rugged contours of the face.
The subject is an older, heavier man, sometimes referred to as a "silver fox" in certain subcultures. This term is commonly used in the LGBTQ+ community to describe older men with gray or silver hair who are considered attractive. While the painting does not explicitly reference this subtext, the subject’s physical appearance aligns with this aesthetic, making it relevant in that context. The expressive brushwork and strong contrasts create a sense of presence and personality rather than a strict, realistic likeness. Instead of focusing on precise anatomical accuracy, I aimed to emphasize the subject’s character and emotional depth through bold color choices and loose, spontaneous strokes.
I often work in a range of styles, moving between realism, impressionism, and more symbolic or expressive approaches depending on the subject. Socratic Method reflects my interest in balancing realism with expressive abstraction, using color and texture to convey immediacy rather than meticulous detail. The alla prima technique, which translates to "at first attempt" from Italian, is often associated with the Impressionists, who valued capturing fleeting light and emotion over precise realism. Using this method here contributes to the raw, unfiltered quality of the portrait, emphasizing motion and energy rather than polish.
My approach to painting remains flexible, allowing each piece to develop organically. I don’t limit myself to a single style, and I appreciate how this adaptability keeps my work fresh and engaging. Socratic Method is an example of this balance, blending realism with expressive elements to create a portrait that feels immediate and full of life.
This was painted on a canvas panel, which is a very sturdy ground or surface for a painting. It won’t flex a lot and is less likely to be damaged in shipping then stretched canvases. Although I tend to be really good at boxing and packaging the paintings I ship. This is a standard size and you won’t have much trouble finding it’s called an “open back” painting or framing kit on the web or at a local art store.
FREE SHIPPING Shipping takes 3-4 Weeks This ships from Round Lake Beach, Illinois. A suburb outside of Chicago. I use UPS and sometimes US Post.
My oil painting Socratic Method is a portrait that is 12x16-inches on a canvas panel. I used the alla prima technique, meaning the paint was applied in one session while still wet. This approach is meant to give the artwork an immediate, expressive feel with visible, energetic brushstrokes. The color palette consists of reds, whites, and blues, creating strong contrasts and highlighting the texture of the paint. The subject is a close-up portrait of a male figure, taking up most of the canvas, with little background detail to distract from the face. Rather than using traditional perspective to create depth, I relied on the thickness of the paint and varied brushstroke intensity to build form and dimension. The figure is painted from a frontal view, directly engaging the viewer, with exaggerated proportions that emphasize the fullness of the cheeks, lips, and the depth of the eyes. The rough textures and strong lighting, coming from the upper left, cast dramatic shadows that further define the rugged contours of the face.
The subject is an older, heavier man, sometimes referred to as a "silver fox" in certain subcultures. This term is commonly used in the LGBTQ+ community to describe older men with gray or silver hair who are considered attractive. While the painting does not explicitly reference this subtext, the subject’s physical appearance aligns with this aesthetic, making it relevant in that context. The expressive brushwork and strong contrasts create a sense of presence and personality rather than a strict, realistic likeness. Instead of focusing on precise anatomical accuracy, I aimed to emphasize the subject’s character and emotional depth through bold color choices and loose, spontaneous strokes.
I often work in a range of styles, moving between realism, impressionism, and more symbolic or expressive approaches depending on the subject. Socratic Method reflects my interest in balancing realism with expressive abstraction, using color and texture to convey immediacy rather than meticulous detail. The alla prima technique, which translates to "at first attempt" from Italian, is often associated with the Impressionists, who valued capturing fleeting light and emotion over precise realism. Using this method here contributes to the raw, unfiltered quality of the portrait, emphasizing motion and energy rather than polish.
My approach to painting remains flexible, allowing each piece to develop organically. I don’t limit myself to a single style, and I appreciate how this adaptability keeps my work fresh and engaging. Socratic Method is an example of this balance, blending realism with expressive elements to create a portrait that feels immediate and full of life.
This was painted on a canvas panel, which is a very sturdy ground or surface for a painting. It won’t flex a lot and is less likely to be damaged in shipping then stretched canvases. Although I tend to be really good at boxing and packaging the paintings I ship. This is a standard size and you won’t have much trouble finding it’s called an “open back” painting or framing kit on the web or at a local art store.
FREE SHIPPING Shipping takes 3-4 Weeks This ships from Round Lake Beach, Illinois. A suburb outside of Chicago. I use UPS and sometimes US Post.
My oil painting Socratic Method is a portrait that is 12x16-inches on a canvas panel. I used the alla prima technique, meaning the paint was applied in one session while still wet. This approach is meant to give the artwork an immediate, expressive feel with visible, energetic brushstrokes. The color palette consists of reds, whites, and blues, creating strong contrasts and highlighting the texture of the paint. The subject is a close-up portrait of a male figure, taking up most of the canvas, with little background detail to distract from the face. Rather than using traditional perspective to create depth, I relied on the thickness of the paint and varied brushstroke intensity to build form and dimension. The figure is painted from a frontal view, directly engaging the viewer, with exaggerated proportions that emphasize the fullness of the cheeks, lips, and the depth of the eyes. The rough textures and strong lighting, coming from the upper left, cast dramatic shadows that further define the rugged contours of the face.
The subject is an older, heavier man, sometimes referred to as a "silver fox" in certain subcultures. This term is commonly used in the LGBTQ+ community to describe older men with gray or silver hair who are considered attractive. While the painting does not explicitly reference this subtext, the subject’s physical appearance aligns with this aesthetic, making it relevant in that context. The expressive brushwork and strong contrasts create a sense of presence and personality rather than a strict, realistic likeness. Instead of focusing on precise anatomical accuracy, I aimed to emphasize the subject’s character and emotional depth through bold color choices and loose, spontaneous strokes.
I often work in a range of styles, moving between realism, impressionism, and more symbolic or expressive approaches depending on the subject. Socratic Method reflects my interest in balancing realism with expressive abstraction, using color and texture to convey immediacy rather than meticulous detail. The alla prima technique, which translates to "at first attempt" from Italian, is often associated with the Impressionists, who valued capturing fleeting light and emotion over precise realism. Using this method here contributes to the raw, unfiltered quality of the portrait, emphasizing motion and energy rather than polish.
My approach to painting remains flexible, allowing each piece to develop organically. I don’t limit myself to a single style, and I appreciate how this adaptability keeps my work fresh and engaging. Socratic Method is an example of this balance, blending realism with expressive elements to create a portrait that feels immediate and full of life.
This was painted on a canvas panel, which is a very sturdy ground or surface for a painting. It won’t flex a lot and is less likely to be damaged in shipping then stretched canvases. Although I tend to be really good at boxing and packaging the paintings I ship. This is a standard size and you won’t have much trouble finding it’s called an “open back” painting or framing kit on the web or at a local art store.
