Ignotus

Original painting by Michele Petrelli ©
210x297mm


In my latest portrait, Ignotus, I wanted to explore the mystery of identity lost in darkness. A single face emerges from the black, as if trying to remember itself—or perhaps, to disappear entirely. The question that stays with me as I paint is always the same: is what we don’t see an absence, or a space of possibility? In my full video on Patreon, you can follow the entire creative process: from the first drawing, which serves as the invisible structure of the portrait’s soul, to the final layers of transparent color. I define the eyes and mouth early—they anchor the identity, even when all around remains undefined. On the nose, where the light hits most strongly, I leave space for silence: just a few strokes, no noise. Every portrait I create is also a question. Can a half-seen face evoke more than one fully rendered? When I paint the unknown, am I searching for clarity—or allowing myself to be led by mystery? If you’re drawn to the invisible side of creation, I invite you to watch the full video on Patreon. There you can observe each phase of the work and see what happens when art tries to give form to the unspeakable.