Tilly Smith
My work mainly consists of lino prints and drawings, with a strong focus on faces and expressions, particularly the eyes. I find it particularly interesting how the fine details in expressions can suggest mood and emotion, and how expressive marks help bring the image together. Faces are interesting because they can communicate so much without words, and the eyes often seem to be the most revealing part. I enjoy exploring subtle shifts in expression, and how small changes can alter the overall feeling of an image.
Using lino allows for bold, simplified marks and an intense graphic quality, which gives the work structure and clarity. Drawing offers more flexibility, allowing me to experiment with line, tone and texture, to capture softer details. Combining these two mediums lets me create work that is expressive yet controlled, layered but approachable. The process itself is important to me, as it shapes how each piece develops, and adds character to the final image.