The Goddess Demeter Waits in Eleusis for Spring's Return

This illustration depicts Demeter, the goddess of the harvest who presides over the bounty and fertility of the earth, waiting in her temple at the ancient city of Eleusis for her daughter, Persephone.  

The tale goes that Hades fell in love with Persephone and abducted her, taking her to the Underworld to be his wife.  Demeter searched relentlessly for her daughter and the seasons came to a halt.  With the earth at the brink of starvation, Zeus sent Hermes to fetch Persephone.  Hades would only release her if she had not eaten anything while in his domain.  Alas, poor Persephone had eaten a few seeds of a pomegranate and so was partially bound to the Underworld and Hades for certain months of the year, hence Fall and Winter.  The arrival of Spring means that Demeter will be reunited with her daughter and so she waits anxiously in anticipation of that meeting.

Here is the painting in progress:   

  

   

Medium: Oil on Crescent™ Cold Press board    
Dated: 2020
Original size: 20"x 30"

All images are ™ & © dba Albrecht Illustrations. All rights reserved.

Gaudium (The Angel of Joy) - Work In Progress

This illustration "Gaudium" is the third and final in my  triptych series of Angels: "Peace, Love, and Joy".  
  

Progress shots of my illustration.  More soon.

Added her skin tone

    

Medium:  Ink, watercolor, acrylic, and pastel on bristol paper    
Dated: 2018
Original size: 9"x 7"

All images are ™ & © dba Albrecht Illustrations. All rights reserved.

The Queen of Ice and Snow - Work In Progress

After watching Disney's Frozen in 2013, I was inspired to create this illustration of Elsa.  I loved the theme of feminine independence and sisterly love.  Visually, the film left me awestruck and dazzled by the winter wonderland which the story is set in.  

I am currently working on the snowflakes and the trail of a thousand tiny ice crystals which flows from Elsa's hand:

 

Medium: Prismacolor and pastels on Artagain paper
Dated: unfinished
Original Size: 18"x 24"

All images are ™ & © dba Albrecht Illustrations. All rights reserved.

Eric Northman's Most Treasured Possessions

In the Fall of 2011 I discovered HBO tv series True Blood and The Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris.  I fell in love with the relationship between Eric Northman and Sookie Stackhouse in the books and decided to create an illustration about them.  At this time I was also taking a Drawing I class and this became my final assignment.

Here is the original sketch: 

Here is the current progress shot: 

Medium: Charcoal and pastel on Artagain® paper
Dated: unfinished
Original size: 20"x 30"

All images are ™ & © dba Albrecht Illustrations. All rights reserved.

Sting Portrait

During the early 80's I fell in love with the music of The Police and when the band broke up I continued to follow Sting on his solo journey.  He is a prodigy of sorts with a gift for lyrics, composition, and performance.  This is one of my homages to him as a musician.  I hope to finish this one day.

Medium: Graphite on Bristol paper
Dated: unfinished
Original size: 14"x 11"

All images are ™ & © dba Albrecht Illustrations. All rights reserved.

Queen Cleopatra Seeks an Audience with Ra at Heliopolis

This illustration is of Queen Cleopatra Thea Philopater the VII at the gates of the ancient city of Heliopolis where she seeks an audience with the Sun God, Ra.  

Work in progress: 

Medium: Oil on Crescent®  cold press illustration board
Dated: unfinished
Original size: 16"x 20"

All images are ™ & © dba Albrecht Illustrations. All rights reserved.