Portraitist Tom Neenan on the challenge of capturing a sitter's self-image
In September 2024, London-based artist Tom Neenan was asked to paint a formal portrait of an 86-year-old man who wanted to sit for the artwork in person. The first attempt didn't meet the sitter's expectations, as he felt it didn't capture his likeness, and even a revised version didn’t impress him. During their conversations, Neenan realized they both struggled with self-image issues. He learned about the sitter's romantic side, aspirations, and love for detective and historical fiction. Sadly, the sitter passed away before seeing the final piece, but Neenan hopes he would have appreciated it. This journey led Neenan to reflect on his own body image as well. His exhibition, 'Portrait of a Tom as a Young Neenan,' runs from 5 to 30 August at Underbelly, George Square, Edinburgh, at 15:15.
Key facts
- Tom Neenan painted an 86-year-old man's portrait in September 2024.
- The sitter rejected the first version, saying it didn't 'capture him.'
- A flattering second version was also rejected as 'yassified.'
- Neenan learned the sitter was a romantic, dreamer, and reader of detective and historical novels.
- The final portrait was a collaboration between their views.
- The sitter died before seeing the finished painting.
- Neenan's show 'Portrait of a Tom as a Young Neenan' is at Underbelly, George Square, Edinburgh from 5 to 30 August at 15:15.
- The article was published in The Guardian on 22 July 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Tom Neenan
Institutions
- The Guardian
- Underbelly
Locations
- London
- Reading
- Edinburgh
- George Square