Some people read faces like an open book. Kathrin Simmler from Birmensdorf, on the other hand, prefers to pick up a brush and palette and paint faces on canvas.

The portrait painter places particular emphasis on the gaze and expression of the person being painted. "That's the most important thing in a portrait," she says – Leonardo da Vinci sends her regards.

For her, it's not about simply copying a photograph, but about making the "painted" people shine as a work of art. "It's nice when someone feels touched by their own image," says Simmler. Her paintings usually depict people from her family or circle of friends, but occasionally she also paints colorful pop culture figures. ​

The painting she's currently working on, for example, depicts fashion icon Coco Chanel on a two-and-a-half-meter canvas. On another, the Harry Potter trio Harry, Ron, and Hermione shine in vibrant colors.

"I love the Harry Potter stories, the humor, the irony—the books and films have been with me for a long time," says Simmler. That's why she painted the picture of the sorcerer's apprentices that now stands in her living room.

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Kathrin Simmler is a passionate portrait painter. "The most important thing in a portrait is the gaze," she says. 

She started with abstract art

When Simmler works on her pieces – she prefers to paint on larger canvases – she is completely in her element. "I usually paint with great focus. While I'm painting, I often listen to jazz from the 1940s. Something lively, but not too wild." Sometimes there is just silence.

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Her cat Chili is usually there, watching or taking a nap. The 47-year-old has already painted around 25 portraits. Depending on the size of the painting, it takes her between one day and two weeks to complete them.

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She discovered her passion five years ago. Back then, she was still painting abstractly and noticed that painting was good for her. "But I had the feeling that abstract paintings were missing something – life." So she started painting faces full of life. And she stuck with it.

"At school, I was rather mediocre at drawing"

What fascinates her about portrait painting is the human element, which is present even when she's painting alone. "When I paint portraits, I feel connected to the people who appear on the canvas." She particularly enjoys painting wedding couples and family portraits.

"I sometimes watch films or interviews to get a feel for someone I don't know personally." But a video call or a good photograph would also suffice.

For a long time, she wasn't aware that she could draw so well. "I was rather mediocre at it at school and turned more to music." The trained lawyer and mother of two has taken weekend portrait painting courses, and she taught herself the rest through self-study and practice.

She is currently painting in her apartment in Birmensdorf, where she has lived for two years. "I really enjoy working from home." To clear my head, I like to go for a swim in the Birmensdorf swimming pool," she says.