Alice Leng is a figurative painter specialising in portraiture, and working exclusively from life. Her practice is rooted in close observation, traditional painting methods and the belief that spending time with a subject is central to making a meaningful portrait.
After completing a BA (Hons) in Fine Art, Alice felt drawn to develop a more rigorous understanding of the technical foundations of drawing and painting. With no previous experience in portraiture, she moved to Florence to study at Charles Cecil Studios where she spent four years training in the classical atelier tradition. Working with the sight-size method and natural light, she developed a disciplined approach to looking that continues to underpin her work today.
Portraiture is at the centre of Alice’s practice. Each portrait is completed over a number of sittings, allowing the relationship between artist and sitter to develop alongside the painting itself. Through sustained direct observation, Alice responds to the subtle changes in expression, posture and light that emerge over the course of the sittings. Rather than capturing a single instant, she builds each painting from an accumulation of moments, gradually developing a deeper understanding of her subject and creating something that could not be found in any one moment alone.
Alice also paints horses, cows and dogs; subjects that have been part of her life since childhood. This familiarity has given her a particular sensitivity to the character and presence of each animal.
At the heart of Alice’s practice is a belief in careful observation and traditional craftsmanship. Whether painting a person or an animal, she aims to make work that feels honest to the subject and reflects the experience of having spent time in their presence.