Sofia Gullstén

Your portraits often feel quiet, introspective, and emotionally restrained. What draws you to these subtle inner states rather than more overt expressions?

I am very interested in the psyche—how people think and feel, often without realising it themselves. Self-reflection and exploring why we feel the way we do are central to my work. I am drawn to these inner thoughts because they shape how we relate to ourselves and others. I search for deeper truths in our lives and how we learn to live with them, even when they are difficult or unresolved.

Sofia Gullstén | Beautiful Facade | 2025

You describe yourself as an outside observer of the people you paint. How does this position influence your emotional connection to the sitter?

Although I work from photographs, I want the result to feel as if it was painted from life. By being an outside observer, I focus less on the sitter’s actual emotions or opinions and more on light, shadow, and subtle shifts in colour. The portrait becomes an interpretation of the image as it exists in my own mind, rather than a direct depiction of the person.

Watercolour is known for its unpredictability. How do you balance control and chance when working with such a fluid medium?

At the beginning of a piece, I allow chance to take over almost completely. The blank paper feels open and forgiving, so I take advantage of that freedom by making my bravest marks first—sometimes even splashing colour directly onto the surface. As the work develops, control gradually enters through building shapes and proportions, turning the initial chaos into something believable.

Sofia Gullstén | Beautiful Facade | 2025

You mention that what remains unpainted is just as important as what is painted. How do you decide when to stop and leave space untouched?

It is a balance between planning and intuition. Before starting, I consider which areas are essential and which are less important. Early on, I focus only on what interests me most, leaving other areas untouched. I build the image until it reflects what I had in mind, then stop and revisit it the next day to see if the feeling still holds.

Sofia Gullstén | Bright Days Ahead | 2025

Your use of deep violets, maroons, soft pinks, and greens is very distinctive. What emotional or symbolic role do these colours play in your portraits?

I am drawn to these colours because they work strongly as contrasts and enhance one another. For me, they symbolise tension and vulnerability, while their earthy qualities give them a grounded presence. Deep violets and maroons, in particular, feel closely connected to my ideas of mortality.

Sofia Gullstén | Silent Night | 2025

Do you see your portraits as representations of specific individuals, or more as studies of universal emotional states?

I do not see my portraits as depictions of specific individuals. They are more about observing emotional states and moments of being, rather than portraying a particular person.

Sofia Gullstén | Hopeful For The Past | 2025

What do you hope viewers feel or recognize in themselves when they encounter your work?

I hope viewers recognise something familiar—an inner state, a quiet tension, or a moment of reflection. The work should invite them to pause and consider their own thoughts and emotions.