In this study from his Instagram series, Burns uses the fluid, unpredictable nature of watercolour to explore the tension between a person's public image and their internal world. The subject emerges from a dark, saturated palette where the play of light and shadow defines her features more than any rigid line could. It is a work of expressive realism that prioritizes the emotional weight of the subject over a literal, polished likeness.

The hand-painted artistry brings a raw, physical texture to the portrait, contrasting with the digital origins of the source material. By focusing on nuanced representations of the face, Burns challenges the viewer to look past deceptive physical appearances and engage with the dramatic theatricality of the human expression. The result is a portrait that feels both intimate and distant, caught in a moment of profound stillness.