Each original artwork begins with a carefully considered graphite portrait, developed slowly through layers of tonal detail, texture and subtle shading. This initial stage is an intentionally time - consuming process, allowing the character and emotion of the subject to emerge before the mixed - media elements are introduced. Once the graphite foundation is complete, the work begins to evolve through the layering of contrasting materials, including acrylic paint, typography, handwritten text and other mixed media elements. These layers are built, disrupted and reworked to create depth, texture and visual tension, allowing the precision of the graphite to sit alongside the more expressive and spontaneous qualities of the mixed media. The final piece is a balance between realism and abstraction, where each layer contributes to the narrative and gives the artwork its distinctive contemporary character.