NILES — Representations of persons in which the facial features predominate — portraits — have been created since the earliest times.

The oldest known are those of rulers, but funeral portraits of less exalted people created in Greco-Roman times have been discovered in Egypt. Through the ages, portrait creation has been an important field of art.

At 7 p.m. Aug. 6, Bob Williams will present on the history of portraits to the Niles Art Association in the community room at the Niles District Library, 620 E. Main St., Niles.

Williams has been interested in portraiture since he was in seventh grade. In college, he studied electrical engineering, receiving a BSEE degree from Cleveland State University.

Williams’ career as an electrical engineer eventually brought him to Whirlpool and St. Joseph/Benton Harbor, where he worked until retiring in 2001. Since then, he educated himself in art via numerous studio art classes and workshops offered by a variety of experienced artists.

Williams’ portrait mediums are pastel and oil, with which he has completed many commissioned paintings from his studio at the Box Factory for the Arts in St. Joseph. He was one of the founders of this art center and has been teaching portrait drawing and painting there for many years.

Williams has also offered instruction and workshops at many regional art centers. In addition, at street fairs and art fairs he has produced hundreds of charcoal sketches completed on location for attendees.

His work has been exhibited by many juried art fairs in the Midwest and has won numerous awards.

More information about Williams can be found at his website, faceartistrrw.com.