This small still-life painting was created in a direct style of painting called "alla prima", the aim of which is to complete the painting in one sitting. Painting eggs in this way is a humbling exercise that never gets old. As small, smooth objects, they are incredibly difficult to do well. When light falls across these three-dimensional forms, the range of light and dark values is compressed into a very small space. By practicing on eggs, I have more success when approaching larger forms like human heads.