A two-day immersion in portraiture, observation and the many ways an artist can see. Early in 2026, I travelled to Paris for an inspiring painting experience with Rosso Emerald Crimson, an Italian-born, London-based contemporary portrait artist known for her expressive and dreamlike paintings. There was also a personal calling behind what I chose to paint. During my time in Paris, I felt drawn to portray Pablo Picasso from his younger years — a period when Paris played such an important role in his artistic life and development. Being in the city itself made the idea feel especially meaningful: painting an artist who had once walked these streets, absorbed its culture and spent countless hours creating here. Rosso’s approach to portraiture, combining traditional painting with contemporary techniques and expressive mark-making, gave me a new perspective on how a portrait can capture much more than physical likeness. It can carry a sense of personality, time, place and emotion. For two days, we painted from the 28th floor of a building overlooking Paris, with the Eiffel Tower and the city stretching out before us. It was an extraordinary setting — the kind of environment where the surroundings naturally become part of the creative experience. I came to learn the techniques of portraiture, but the experience became much more than a painting class. I met artists from different walks of life, each bringing their own experiences, techniques and visual perspectives. Looking at how they approached their work in completely different ways taught me to observe more carefully and think beyond technique — towards intention, expression and personal vision. Learning from Rosso, while also absorbing the energy and ideas of my fellow artists, opened up new possibilities in the way I approach painting. Coming from a world of music and sound, I’ve always been drawn to the space where different creative disciplines meet. My experiences learning from artists and cultures around the world — from Paris to India and beyond — continue to shape my journey as a multidisciplinary artist. This was one of those experiences that stays with you long after the paint has dried. Two days of painting. A city full of inspiration. New friendships, new perspectives, and a deeper connection with the artist within. Truly a soul-enriching experience.