"Kimberly with Roses," in Progress

"Kimberly with Roses," (in progress) 19 1/2" x 15 1/4", egg tempera on true gesso panel

I'm enjoying very much painting this portrait which includes both international and spiritual influences. I've begun it in egg tempera on a medium-sized panel.

Egg tempera is a wonderful medium for achieving fine detail and luminosity in portraiture, which can be used alone or in conjunction with oil paint. Egg tempera paint is made by mixing powdered pigments directly with egg yolk and distilled water. It has a long and interesting history, and prior to the invention of oil paint, was the single most popular medium for painting.

I'll share updates on this portrait as it progresses.

Completed Portrait of Eve and Her Dog

  "Eve and Her Dog," 15 1/2" x 21 1/2", charcoal and pastel on Arches Aquarelle paper (click the image to see it large)

Here is the completed portrait of Eve.  I did two preliminary drawings before getting to this final version, primarily because after sketching it out I realized I wanted to try it larger to improve the level of detail while still utilizing charcoal and pastel.  This drawing was inspired by a very small black and white photograph taken of Eve and her sweet dog, Stubby, on a black rooftop.


This is a nostalgia portrait of Eve in her youth, and memories can be very important to a portrait like this.  In the first sketch I had Eve on a white towel on the black roof as she was in the photo. When we talked a bit about her memories of this time, Eve said she always remembers the trees everywhere, and could I put trees into the background of whatever version I came up with. Then I suggested a beach scene with the trees, and she liked that too.  In this way both of our ideas combined and contributed to her portrait's final outcome.


(*additional note:  I've replaced the photo of the art in this post with a better record copy, and there is a little more background about this portrait I'd love to share, but it must wait a few weeks, since it's a surprise.)

studio problem

Just a note that, until it is fixed, a practical problem in my studio has prevented me from working normal hours, but I hope to resume posting as soon as things improve.

Eve and Her Dog (in Progress)

        "Eve and Her Dog," (in progress) 21" x 15 1/2", charcoal and pastel on Arches Aquarelle paper

          More to come soon on this portrait................

Pencil Pair

    "Ona, Corin, and Bluebird," (SOLD) 11" x 7" graphite on vellum, (click the image to see it larger, then click again to see it largest)


"Ona, Corin, and Bluebird" portrays two sisters who are delightful friends and former neighbors of mine, standing next to one of my miniature paintings which hangs in their home, "The Bluebird of Happiness".


More coming soon too on my new charcoal portrait of Eve Weiss.