The All Seeing Eye of the Helix Nebula Mixed Media

A few years ago, NASA released some images of nebulae taken by The Hubble telescope. Among them was the captivating image of the Helix Nebula. This vast collection of cosmic materials had formed itself into a swirling eye, looking out into the cosmos. I had to capture it on canvas.
The photograph taken by Hubble was flat; hardly giving justice to such a three-dimensional subject. Oil could have been a good medium, but it takes so long to dry, I chose hybrid tempera. The padding to help emphasize the three dimensions and tempera for continuity. Drying quite quickly, many veils of colour could be applied to enhance the nuances, subtleties, and form of the swirling gasses.
The subject is almost unimaginably large and distant, but in the Cosmos, little more than a speck of light. It is there, watching. So, I have kept it small.
This is painted using an ancient traditional method of Tempera.