Chicago-based artist Tracy Frein’s colored pencil portraits begin with weeks of preparation, generating concepts that elevate the textures, patterns and moods he hopes to convey in his work. Once Frein lands on a concept he’s satisfied with, he then moves on to a photoshoot with his subjects, which typically involves an easygoing conversation to gain his sitter’s confidence and help them to pose less self-consciously—ultimately revealing the individual quirks and personality traits that makes each individual unique. Frein’s artwork is grounded in realism and always contains a deeper narrative beneath the surface.
The Secret Embrace, colored pencil, 28 x 13 in.
Bound by her weakness 2, colored pencil, 21 x 12 in.
Behind a Veil of Insecurity, colored pencil, 36 x 24 in.
“What drives me is the process and not the end. The process is [made up of] moments of unexpected changes, accidents of discoveries that can separate my work. Sometimes, the beauty of the work is in the imperfections,” says Frein. “Each subject is a compelling visual portrayal of the human spirit, determination and courage. Working on Grafix drafting film allows me to capture these hidden emotions while creating the depth and transparency that gives the illusion of distance in the subject’s features. I strive to show the viewer that while at first glance my subjects seem serene and normal, [there is also] a sense of inner frailty. This inner frailty is what has moved me into my next series documenting my subjects dealing with mental illness.”
What the Water Gave Me, colored pencil, 33 x 25 in.
A Feather’s Not a Bird, colored pencil, 25 x 22 in.
After the initial photoshoot, Frein then draws from a selection of nearly 200 photographs before finally beginning to draw. He works with a limited color palette, which allows him to concentrate on forms, values and shadows. “Color can be very life-like but also very distracting,” he says. “I want the viewer to take a step closer to each drawing to realize that not only do the subjects and composition create a mood, but so do the textures in the background…As a portrait artist, my inspiration is drawn solely from my subjects’ beauty and their hidden emotional truths.”
Corralling a Lightning Bolt, colored pencil, 40 x 30 in.
Collectors can learn about and view more of Frein’s dry media artwork through his website at tfrein.artspan.com, as well as on Instagram and Facebook. —
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