Artist Creates Striking Prints of Realistic Portraits Using His Hands as Stamps

Hand Stamp Body Art Body Painting Russell Powell

California-based artist Russell Powell continues to create impressive imprints that blur the line between traditional portraiture and experimental body art. Using his hand as a makeshift stamp, Powell produces extraordinarily detailed depictions of realistic and expressive faces.

To create each impressive imprint, Powell employs a unique process he calls “hand-stamping.” This technique requires the artist to first paint a picture on the palm of his hand. This step must be completed quickly, as the paint needs to remain wet in order for the image to be successfully transferred. Once his work of body art is finished, he simply presses his hand onto a sheet of paper or canvas, and voila—a perfect print.

With this technique, Powell is able to couple two of his artistic interests—portrait art and body painting—into a single practice. Additionally, this method is favorable for its unique aesthetic, as each portrait is entirely one-of-a-kind. Unlike traditional paintings that have defined edges and predictable compositions, Powell’s pieces are framed by the recognizable shape of his hand. Look closely, and you’ll even see his fingerprints forever embedded in his subjects’ faces, quite literally demonstrating “the hand of the artist” in his work!

You can see more of Powell’s handiwork on his Instagram.