" If you want to paint the inner life, you paint it from the exterior. From the exterior, you breathe the inner life into your painting. "
- Charlotte Rampling

In painting or any form of visual art, capturing the essence of inner emotions or thoughts can often seem daunting because such feelings are inherently abstract and intangible. Charlotte Rampling’s statement suggests that to bring these internal experiences to life on canvas, one must focus on external elements like physical features, expressions, and surroundings. By doing so, artists can evoke the deeper emotional layers through subtle details and nuanced portrayals.

The quote delves into the idea of merging visible reality with invisible sentiment, encouraging artists to find a balance between what they see and what they feel or imagine. This process allows for a more profound connection between the artwork and its audience, as viewers can intuitively sense the deeper emotions behind the visible features. It also implies that art is not just about reproducing visual facts but involves storytelling through imagery, where every brushstroke carries weight beyond mere appearance.

Charlotte Rampling, a renowned British actress celebrated for her versatility and deep emotional performances in films such as "Videodrome" and "The Night Porter," brings to the quote her understanding of how one can convey inner depth through external means. Her insights on art reflect her own approach to acting, where she often immerses herself deeply into a character’s psyche before portraying their exterior life realistically on screen.