Portait of 'Thomas' for the BP National Portrait Competition, UK

This was my entry into the BP National Portrait Competition in the UK, held at the National Portrait Gallery in London. 

I was visiting Thomas at his place in the East Village; a tiny rent-controlled apartment that his family had lived in since the late 70's. Whilst I grew up in a very averagely proportioned council house in the UK, I had no idea how all 9 members of his family had lived in such a scant space. Although his mum, dad, brothers, and sisters had moved on, Thomas had stayed on. Back in the 80's, he'd recall, that area was rough, almost nothing like it is today. 

He was eating instant noodles that day; glancing up as we were talking, the light was weirdly good. I did a sketch, and recreated it later with him for the final painting.

The painting was selected as one of 50 for the show at the National Portrait Gallery, held yearly and open to any new young artist.