'Jason Why' Faces on the Spectrum portrait

This is one of my first portraits for my upcoming exhibition titled 'Faces on the Spectrum' which is of 'Jason Why' who is a successful publisher. It took about 70+ hours over 7 days on A2 (420x594mm) paper.

The exhibition will take place, sometime during summer next year. And will consist of '14' A2 (420x594mm) graphite and charcoal pencil portraits of people who are on the 'Autistic Spectrum'. For this project I am collaborating with the 'National Autistic Society'.

Most people may not know that i was diagnosed with a form of autism, called 'Aspergers Syndrome' late in life 2-3 years ago. And when people do find out the reaction tends to be 'you don't look like your autistic'.

So the aim of the exhibition is to break down the stereotype of what someone with autism actually looks like. As people can be affected with autism in lots of diffferent ways, as it classed as a spectrum disorder.

And most of the portraits will be of people with 'Aspergers' or 'Autism' from 'ALAG', which is the support group i attend monthly. but there will also be a few others who are not from my support group as well.