Tears of a Champion

A close, intimate portrait fills the frame: a dark, dramatic study of the great Michael Jordan’s game face emerging from the shadows. Light hits one side hard, picking out the glossy planes of his forehead, cheekbones and the ridge of his nose, while the other side falls away into deep, velvety darkness. His brow is heavily furrowed, eyes wide and moist, and his mouth is slightly open as if caught between a breath and a sob.

A single, luminous tear runs down his cheek, rendered almost like a small jewel — and nearby a larger teardrop hangs, containing a tiny, reflected image of his father, who was unalived in an act of random violence. The skin has a painterly sheen: highlights that read like quick brushstrokes, and fine lines that tell of tension and feeling. The overall palette is warm — deep browns, maroons and bright, almost white highlights — which intensifies the emotional weight.

This composition is tightly cropped, forcing the viewer to confront the expression directly.

At Michael’s core is his love of playing basketball - so I rendered his eyeball as a basketball.
The effect is powerful and vulnerable at once — a striking portrait of sorrow, healing and reflection.