Pete Humphreys love for films is expressed in his pieces. He finds the ways in which directors use cameras to frame atmosphere and intensity fascinating. Another inspiration for Pete is Impressionism. In particular, their clever use of brushwork. Close up they dissolve into a mass of vigorous marks and strokes but from far away their loose brushwork blends into one. He creates iconic portraits by combining these two influences. Pete makes sure to capture the essence of the subject. “I search for subtlety, hidden glances and underlying motivation. I am not trying to fool the viewer into thinking that they are seeing a photograph, but rather am embracing the opportunity to interpret in paint while retaining a sense of honesty and accuracy.” 

“As I am painting scenes and faces, the influence comes from the person that I am painting, the scene that they may be in and the vibe that is associated with the particular film/actor. I look for people that interest me and capture my attention. The film type will also influence how I paint - a Tarantino film will have a different style to a Marvel film. The situation that I paint will also have an influence: if the scene is action packed the painting will be more frantically made with rapid brush strokes and marks. I study faces and try to understand them, looking for nuances and feelings. The more that you study them the more you can incorporate them into your paintings. This adds authenticity and honesty to the portrait.”

Pete has won the Portrait section of the St Helens Open Art Competition two years in a row and his influential style and success helped him to reach the final selection round at the BP Portrait Competition in London 2016.  Lena Headey and Russell Crowe are among a few celebrities that are fans of Pete's work, with Lena tweeting "Mad Skills!".