"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.

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

Portraits of Lauren

"Sweet Pea Blossom," 2 5/16" x 1 13/16", egg tempera on vellum

Throughout her life I have done a number of portraits of my niece, Lauren, and here

are two of them. "Sweet Pea Blossom" is a miniature portrait of Lauren between the age of

1 and 2, and "Lauren's Graduation Day" portrays her on the day of her college

graduation in May of this year.

"Lauren's Graduation Day," 5" x 7", silverpoint, graphite, and egg tempera on toned panel