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.
PORTRAITS:
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.