Father of Six, 2024, oil on canvas, 24″ x 20″
Master Copy, 2024, oil on canvas, 24″ x 20″
Mollie, 2024, oil on canvas, 24″ x 20″
Self Portrait, 2023, oil on canvas, 24″ x 18″
Oliver Billig
[BFA] Studio Art – Painting
I am a studio artist depicting my subject’s individuality through portraiture. Inspired by the portraits of the Renaissance era, I aim to create images that are both visually compelling and emotionally resonant. Using oil paint on canvas, I employ a realistic style that highlights the contrast between light and dark, bringing out the three-dimensional qualities of my subjects. I’m drawn to portraying individuals who have had a significant impact on my life, as their stories and personalities inspire my work. I use the iconic Zorn palette, a reduced chromatic range that includes white, black, ochre and vermillion. This shift allows a deeper exploration of value, temperature, and contrast. Through this, I have enriched my understanding of color’s emotional impact, enabling me to convey the admiration I hold for my subjects more effectively, inviting viewers to share in their beauty and humanity.
Bio
Robert Oliver Billig is completing a BFA in Studio Art with an emphasis in painting at The University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His works have been included in exhibitions in UNL’s Eisentrager-Howard Gallery. Billig’s honors include the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Preforming Arts Scholarship, Ruth Ann Sack Memorial Scholarship, Hixson-Lied Dean’s Scholarship, and inclusion on the Dean’s list.