Illustration in Oils
Artist: John Potter
I painted this from a photograph. For a long time I believed the photo was taken by Wes Skiles, a friend and an exceptional cave diver and photographer. Now I am not entirely sure. Either way, the photographer deserves most of the credit for capturing that moment. I just translated it into paint.
The image shows a cave diver emerging from a tight squeeze. You can feel the effort and the relief. The walls press close, and the light shifts from dark to pale as he pulls himself through. It is a technical subject, cave diving, but I approached it with expressive painting techniques. The brushwork and color carry emotion alongside information.
This piece demonstrates something I return to often. A specific, even technical topic can still benefit from a painterly hand. Accuracy and expression do not have to fight each other.
If you need an illustration that combines technical understanding with an expressive visual approach, contact me. I enjoy work that asks for both.
BROWSE MY WORK
- Illustration: Browse custom illustrations, book cover art, illustrated maps, and architectural renderings.
- Fine art: View original paintings and drawings, the Custom Halftone Series, and mural commissions.
- Graphic design & motion: See design projects, then watch motion reels and animated pieces.
- Maps by use case: Explore illustrated maps created for boat shows, resorts, marinas, real estate, transportation & parking, cities & towns, parks, and wayfinding.
- Specialty projects: Also check out cover design, vinyl & vehicle wraps, proposal renderings, and street art.
- Style & technique: Discover vector, isometric, painterly, monochrome, data-driven, bird's-eye, and halftone approaches.
- Tools I use: Everyday software includes Photoshop, Illustrator, SketchUp, and InDesign; motion work relies on Premiere & After Effects.