Kapsner writes: "Egypt has always been a fascinating place for me...since childhood. In 2025, my wife, Catherine and I traveled to Egypt and I finally got to see the place I'd thought about for an entire lifetime. I have immersed myself in capturing paintings and drawings of the places I saw."
About this image:
"This setting is on the Giza Plateau. I was working near the Great Pyramid of Khufu, which is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. I came upon the camel, which are a big part of life in the desert because of their ability to go very long periods of time without water (not to mention a big tourist attraction). With that said, I didn't do a camel ride. But I did a drawing.
It wasn't until I got back to my studio and started to review my photos where this image really caught my attention. The small charcoal and white chalk sketch--to the right of this drawing—was the first one I created. Secondly, I crafted the technical drawing on onion skin paper—which is to the left of this drawing. Working on these smaller pieces provided the accuracy needed for this piece, which is done in graphite and white chalk.
This drawing is the most elaborate pencil drawing I have done, estimating somewhere between 90 -100 hours on the camel alone. The drawing itself was probably near 300+ hours. Drawing is truly my first love, so this piece was very satisfying to take the time to do.
The Pyramid of Khafre, 4th Dynasty (2558 – 2532 BC) is the backdrop of the drawing, where some of the Tura limestone casing is still visible on the top. Originally the whole pyramid would have been covered by this, however, over the centuries, stealing casing from pyramids was quite common, which is why on many of them, one cannot see it at all anymore. Between Dynasties 3-12 (2686–1782 BC), over 100 pyramids were built."
Kapsner is an Art Renewal Center Associate Living MasterTM (ARCALM), a member of the Oil Painters of America (OPA), Portrait Society of America (PSA) and the International Guild of Realism (IGOR). He received a Career Achievement Award from the Florence Biennale, Master Artist from the Five Wings Arts Council, a Public Service Commendation from the United States Coast Guard, and the Superior Volunteer Service Medal, the highest award given to a civilian by the Adjutant General of Minnesota National Guard.
Charles Kapsner’s greatest learning as a painter occurred in the studio of Nerina Simi (1890 – 1987). “Remember nature is your teacher, I am your guide”, was a prevailing theme. Kapsner's artistic roots are planted in the 15th Century, yet he remains a contemporary painter whose compositions fuse old and new.
