Top 17 Contemporary Figurative and Portraiture Painters Working in 2025
Have the human figure grab you by the throat — not because it’s flashy, but because it’s honest. In this 30-minute countdown, Johnson Ocheja walks you through 15 of the most exciting figurative painters shaping 2025 — from intimate portrait-makers to artists who rewrite history with paint. Expect clear, emotional storytelling, close attention to technique, and the real reasons collectors and museums are paying attention today.
00:00 – Intro — Why figurative painting still matters (and a quick reminder to like & subscribe)
33:10 – Jordan Casteel
02:08 - Titus Kaphar
03:56 - Johnson Ocheja
05:38 – Elizabeth Peyton
07:27 – Chantal Joffe
09:10 – Salman Toor
10:51 – Tschabalala Self
12:33 – Jenny Saville
14:16 – Michael Armitage
15:53 – Amoako Boafo
17:29 – Njideka Akunyili Crosby
19:02 – Marlene Dumas
20:48 – Kerry James Marshall
22:21 – Liu Xiaodong
24:09 – Amy Sherald
25:55 – Kehinde Wiley
27:32 – Lynette Yiadom-Boakye
29:13 -- Outro
What you’ll learn in this video:
• How each artist uses the human figure to tell cultural and personal stories.
• The painting techniques that define their look — from pigment and brushwork to unconventional supports.
• A quick market snapshot for each artist — who’s rising, who’s established, and why.
• Ideas for collectors, students, and artists who want to understand contemporary portraiture and figurative practice.
If you enjoyed the video, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the 🔔 so you don’t miss future deep dives, studio breakdowns, and artist profiles. Your support helps the channel grow and makes these long-form videos possible.
Want more from Johnson Ocheja?
• Favorite part of the video? Tell me in the comments — which artist surprised you most?
• Want these profiles as standalone shorts for Instagram or a downloadable script? Say the word and I’ll prepare them.
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