ICON by ATIM presents ATHINA SOULTANI

A Fascinating Layering Of Emotions

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ATHINA SOULTANI A Fascinating Layering Of Emotions

By Viviana Puello

Athina Soultani is an incredibly talented artist who creates breathtaking portraits. Her process involves meticulous sketching with graphite pencils on Strathmore Bristol paper, followed by the careful layering of colors, light, and shadows to bring her subjects to life.

Soultani’s approach to her craft is both fascinating and

intricate, resulting in stunning works of art that leave viewers in awe. This article provides a behind-the-scenes look at her creative process, shedding light on the magic that goes into producing such magnificent pieces.

Soultani’s portraits start with a detailed sketch where she showcases her mastery of sketching. She uses her skills to

“The Last Summer” Pastel Painting on Sanded Pastel Paper 22” x 28”

capture the subject’s likeness and bring them to life on the page. Her composition skills are excellent, resulting in visually pleasing artwork that draws the viewer in. The sketches are the foundation for her masterpiece portraits, providing a blueprint for the following intricate details and depth.

Soultani’s art is visually stunning and has a powerful message of hope and self-belief, especially in difficult times. She encourages individuals and nations to believe in themselves to achieve greatness. Her message reminds viewers that with faith and determination, anything is possible, and

we should never give up on ourselves or our dreams.

As a contemporary realist artist, Soultani understands how vital lighting and shadows are in creating captivating portraits. She believes they add depth, drama, and emotion to her paintings, bringing her subjects to life. Soultani spends considerable time studying her subjects and analyzing the light falling on them. She notes how the light affects the subject’s form, texture, and overall appearance, whether it’s natural, studio, or artificial light.

Shadows are equally crucial to Soultani’s

work. They contrast the light, adding definition and shape to the subject. Soultani uses lighting and shadows to express the subject’s character and personality, creating a mood, evoking an emotion, or conveying a message. In her portraits, lighting, and shadows add a sense of depth, mystery, and life to the subject.

Soultani’s eye for color is another key element of her portraits. She understands how to use color to create a mood and bring her subjects to life. She pays close attention to the temperature of the colors, choosing warm or cool tones to affect the mood and atmosphere

“Paradise Beach” Pastel Painting on Sanded Pastel Paper 22” x 28”

of her paintings. Soultani also uses color to highlight specific features of her subjects, creating a mesmerizing and awe-inspiring work of art.

Soultani’s portraits are more than just realistic renderings of her subjects; they capture the essence of their personality, emotions, and life story. Soultani gets to know her subjects, paying attention to their facial expressions, body language, and clothing, all revealing something about their character. She sketches and redraws until she feels she has captured the subject’s likeness before working with color, light, and shadow to create a lifelike, emotionally evocative portrait.

Whether it’s a portrait of a loved one, stranger, or historical figure, Soultani’s art invites us to celebrate the diversity and complexity of the human experience. Her portraits are windows into the soul, reflecting the humanity in others and encouraging us to see the beauty in everyone.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORK FOR US?

My style is realism. I am a realist artist based in Athens, Greece. I work with Graphite Pencils, colored pencils, pastels, and watercolors. My work is focused on still life and portraits, and I always find interest

and beauty in the subjects that I work on.

CAN

YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?

First, I find a subject that interests me, and second, I shoot it with my Camera. Then I start studying it. After I have learned this, I begin to work on it. The next step is the accurate sketch of the subject I want to work on. Colors, Lights, and Shadows also are significant. I work the Colours, Lights, and Shadows and create textures so my subject seems more realistic. I choose my colors carefully. I use quality colors, very good brands, and I always make sure my colors are clear, bright, and vibrant to the

“Queen Elizabeth II” Graphite Portrait on Strathmore Bristol Paper 9”x12”

subject I work on. I also use an excellent quality paper for every subject I work on because the paper is also important for the final result.

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU DISCOVER YOU WANTED TO BE AN ARTIST?

As a child, I always remember that I liked painting very much as I found it relaxing, making me smile and happy. I didn’t have

time for painting when I went to high school, so I stopped it. After finishing University, I found a job where the pressure I felt was so great that I felt the need to start painting again to reduce my stress. I started painting again, and from the first moment I began to feel better with my stress, I decided to attend some painting lessons to improve my level, but this was for a short time due to lack of time. I started then to work at home without any help. I dedicated many hours,

especially on the weekends, to improve my skills in painting. When my results started to be very good, I began participating in art contests, and my art became famous. I believe that when I improved my skills and my technique in painting and started to create wonderful art, I discovered my artistic passion. Then I found that I wanted to become a professional artist.

“The Grandfather’s Locker” Pastel Painting on Sanded Pastel Paper 22” x 28”

WHAT MESSAGE DOES YOUR WORK TRANSMIT TO YOUR AUDIENCE?

I hope my work transmits one message of hope for this world to my audiences. Art today is without meaning, without something to say, without waking up consciousness and feelings. It shouldn’t be fast, easy, and only to please

the eye.

It shouldn’t be a fast consumer good. Art should be more qualitative and pass clear messages about our world.

Art should be raised consciousnesses and

leaves a clear and true mark as art in this world where everything is fast speed. I also want my work to give a message of hope for a better, more peaceful world without the stress of everyday life. It is in our hands to change the world; if we truly believe in ourselves as individuals and nations, the power is inside us.

“The Boy From Aswan” Graphite Portrait on Strathmore Bristol Paper 9”x12”

HAS ANY PART OF YOUR STORY INFLUENCED WHAT YOU DO NOW?

I believe that the school of life teaches you new things every day; sometimes, it shows a good face and offers a hard look to all of us. Sometimes makes you smile, and other times gives you hard lessons, but such is life; whatever face shows us, we must always find the strength to move on and not

abandon. I have trained myself to change into something positive, even the hard life experiences. I want something positive to stay at the end as a conclusion. I believe that this positive attitude in my life gives me the strength to continue to create my art as I do now, and the experiences that I gained from the school of life gave me the boost to start to create art and influenced what exactly I do now.

by

www.athinasoultani.com

@athinasoultani_art

Athina Soultani

“Joyful Smile” Graphite Portrait on Strathmore Bristol Paper 9”x12”

Everything in the painting is light, and shadow Art is a way for me to express myself and pass the message that in these difficult years, we can archive more as individuals and as a nation if we truly believe in ourselves.

Athina Soultani

“New Year Eve” Pastel Painting on Sanded Pastel Paper 22” x 28”