Portraiture is as old as painting itself, and has typically been a simple idealized “photo” of a subject, devoid of nuance or subtext. Natascha Roeoesli’s somber fantasy portraits — as the best often do — seem detached and timeless, yet manage to capture the swirling subtleties of mood and emotion at play within her subjects.

Ms. Roeoesli favors dark, moody characters, and the subjects of her digital paintings — be they mystical or mundane — are stately, poised… and a little dangerous.

When last we looked, Natascha’s server was art-free. Visit her hosted gallery over here.