Progress update on my portrait of Nelson Mandela

My portrait of Nelson Mandela in progress

I've been back at work on my portrait of Nelson Mandela, which is still in progress, but here is a detail from it that you can enjoy.  I'm portraying him shortly after his release from prison, when he honored New York City with a triumphant visit.  A small detail reflecting this is the gold apple pin worn on his lapel, which symbolizes the "Big Apple."

Portraits of Public Figures

"Spirit of Aretha," 4" x 4"(shown actual size), miniature portrait in egg tempera on Kelmscott vellum

Here are two portraits of public figures.  Aretha Franklin is portrayed in miniature, and below her, is a detail from a portrait still in progress of Nelson Mandela, showing him on the occasion of his first visit to New York City right after his release from long imprisonment.  More to come on the Mandela portrait, which will eventually include a white dove flying above him, in a future post.

Next I'll be sharing my work on a portrayal in charcoal of my friend Eve Weiss.

portrait in progress of Nelson Mandela, showing the scarf he wore on his visit to NYC shortly after his release,  20" x 16", egg tempera on Strathmore board