Vanitas I by Meg Lyman
12×6″ oil on canvas
A quick study in the impermanence of beauty. This was my first time trying lead white (Rublev Lead White No. 2), and it was awesome. It really makes a difference with the textures and is great for painting skulls.
Below is the scan of the unvarnished version. Subtle but interesting differences.
The cicada in this makes me think you should do one honoring Grandma. Like cicada + kangaroo mouse skull (or whatever it was she froze to show us) + mummified cat…wouldn’t that be so cool/a great inside joke?
PS I think you should also do some close ups of cicadas. Their wings/colors/bright little details would be amazing.
Good ideas both! I can paint the “dried creature” I just finished cleaning, plus a couple cicadas and maybe a monarch wing , and tiny rodent skulls of various sorts.