A Portrait of Marilyn Monroe

Watercolour Painting on Canvas

This monochromatic watercolour portrait explores a side of Marilyn Monroe that feels removed from the carefully constructed Hollywood glamour most often associated with her. I wanted to capture a moment that felt lighter and more spontaneous, where her personality and warmth came through more strongly than the familiar image of Marilyn as a Hollywood icon.

The painting is based on a photograph by Milton H. Greene, taken during their first photographic collaboration in September 1953. The original image captures Marilyn smiling broadly while leaning against a decorated stringed instrument, creating a portrait that feels relaxed, playful, and unusually candid.

That expression was what drew me to the photograph. Rather than recreating the entire composition, I focused closely on Marilyn herself, removing the surrounding details and allowing her face to become the centre of the work. The crop transforms a wider editorial photograph into a more intimate portrait, placing particular emphasis on her smile, expression, and sense of movement.

Painted predominantly in black, white, and grey, the work uses contrast to translate the original black-and-white photography into watercolour. Softer washes sit alongside more defined details around the eyes, hair, and smile, while the dark background creates a strong separation between the figure and the canvas.

The result is an interpretation of Marilyn Monroe that moves beyond the polished poses for which she became famous, instead celebrating the warmth and personality visible in one fleeting moment.

Original photography: Milton H. Greene, 1953.