Portrait in Oils
Artist, Illustrator: John Potter - Escape Key Graphics
This portrait of Albert Einstein sits somewhere between illustration and fine art. I am comfortable with that ambiguity. Most of the painting is acrylic, with some final touches in oils. The techniques I used here are the same ones I rely on for murals and other paintings.
I did not focus on strict accuracy. Instead, I combined features to create the Einstein we all recognize. The man himself, but simplified and distilled. This piece started as a palette knife painting. That part was not going especially well, but I liked where the piece was heading overall, so I kept going and switched to brushes.
I gave his hair a kind of nuclear glow. That was a small homage to his career as a physicist. The glow felt right for someone who helped unlock the power of the atom.
If you need an expressive portrait for a publication, a private collection, or a themed space, contact me. I enjoy work that asks for character and a interpretive touch rather than strict likeness.
PAINTINGS:
PORTRAITS:
PORTFOLIOS
- Illustration Portfolio: Start here for custom illustration and book covers. You can also browse illustrated maps and architectural rendering.
- Fine Art: I offer original paintings and drawings, including my Custom Halftone Series. You will also find mural work here.
- Graphic Design & Motion: View my graphic design portfolio. After that, explore motion design and animated illustrations.
- Maps by application: I create illustrated maps for boat shows, resorts, marinas, real estate, transportation, transit and parking, towns and cities, parks, and wayfinding.
- Additional project types: I also produce cover illustration, vehicle and vinyl wraps, proposal renderings, and street art.
- Illustration methods: My techniques include vector, isometric and axonometric, painting, black and white, GeoData maps, overhead maps, and custom halftones.
- Software portfolios: I work primarily in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, SketchUp Pro, and Adobe InDesign. For motion projects, I use Premiere Pro and After Effects. You can watch my demo reel here.