Nationally known California artist, E. Richard Colburn has attained recognition through his specialized art of portraiture, executed in the style of classic realism.

Responsive to his own sensitivity, he finds that special fleeting and genteel openness in childrens' eyes very desirable to portray. His ability to capture the spirit and essence of his subject - child or adult - gives his portraits their powerful and unique quality.

Colburn works from photographs rather than a lengthy sitting in which the subject becomes lethargic. The portrait process starts with a consultation, and then a photographic session is arranged. He interprets the photographs by using his knowledge of anatomy. Then, only with the tip of his pencil, he masterfully lays down thousands of individual pencil strokes. Holding the pencil as if it were a delicate feather, he controls the tonal relations within each stroke, creating a lifelike, three-dimensional effect - the hallmark of an E. Richard Colburn graphite portrait.

Educated at the Art League of California and the Academy of Art College of San Francisco, Colburn has exhibited at the De Young Museum in San Francisco and the Rosicrucian Museum in San Jose. His portraits have been exhibited and represented by numerous prestigious California galleries and can be found in private collections throughout the United States.