Layered Portraits by Lu “Lhunatica” Tenorio

Lu “Lhunatica” Tenorio crafts portraits where figures emerge from flowing systems of lines, textures and light. Based in Montpellier, the Venezuelan artist shapes faces that feel suspended in thought, often surrounded or intertwined with symbolic elements like serpents, flowers or abstract currents.

In her work, fine, thread-like lines trace hair, skin and surrounding forms, while metallic tones and iridescent gradients shift depending on the scene, from deep, almost nocturnal palettes to soft, luminous pastels.

There’s a clear emotional undercurrent running through the series. Lu was born in Venezuela and later relocated to France as a political refugee, a move that meant leaving her family behind and starting over in an unfamiliar place. That experience of displacement and rebuilding carries into these portraits. Many of her figures appear in transition, eyes closed, partially obscured or caught mid-transformation. The tension isn’t dramatic, but it lingers, as if each image is holding onto something while slowly reshaping itself.

You can explore more of Lu Tenorio’s work on her website and Instagram.

More illustrations via ArtStation