We are but scarecrows... pt 5.

Add more graceful lines on the birds in the foreground. Continue adding value to the scarecrow-Christ. 

Begin to thin out the bird swarm. 

Add yet more sky to continue to thin out the swarm.

Begin to back-fill the birds, first by stippling the background birds. Create deeper shadows in the corn. 

Make thicker marks to create the illusion of birds in the foreground. 

Highlights on the wings of the birds. Continue adding value to the slant of the hill and the cornstalks in the foreground. 

Highlights on the tops of the corn. Continue to develop the clothing of the scarecrow-Christ. 

Develop a range of value on the foreground cornstalks. Continue clothing development of the scarecrow-Christ. 

Add straw to the scarecrow-Christ as a finishing touch. And... 

Scarecrow
3' x 2.5'
Oil on Canvas
SOLD


This painting, not so subtly, represents Christ, the One who drives out sin in our lives. It was a striking metaphor, though one I had never heard before: Christ as the scarecrow, keeping the field safe from things that would rob every kernel.

I love that idea. I love the image it creates in my mind: the bold swarm of scavengers thwarted by some humble thing, hung on a cross-bar. The sun rising golden onto a now silent field. The movement of the birds, the wind in the plants... all of it.

I hope that this blog can be a ministry tool for those artists who follow Christ. I hope that I can give instruction on how to create a painting, and maybe, introduce a little inspiration for others to make their own pieces of art that honor the Lord.

"We are but scarecrows, turning bandits away from the crops."

We are but scarecrows... pt 4.

The addition of background cornstalks and highlights upon the crows wings. 

Addition of shadows into the corn. 

Yet more highlights on the birds wings and more corn rows. The scare crow is more fleshed out as well. 

We are but scarecrows... pt 3.

The painting is beginning to take shape. Beginning with the sky, the background should be the first thing that is tackled. Then move forward to the swarm, the birds that are furthest away. Then the final move for this stage is adding the edge of the cornfield on the hill. Also, input the initial layout of the scarecrow-Christ figure.

A more fleshed out swarm, beginning with the birds furthest away. 

The addition of corn in the background, also beginning with the plants furthest away. 

We are but scarecrows... pt 2.

Beginning the under-painting

Too big? How could ol' Bessy be too big?

The first bit of color and a new angle on the scarecrow-Christ figure

Dynamic strokes increase the sense of movement in the picture

The addition of gold hues creates the beginnings of the sunlight transition range

The pigments must be worked in such a way that will allow transition, but not muddiness
At this stage, it's mud-city

Low-lights are the key to solid contrast
The sunrise wouldn't be as bright without a transition to darker areas

Creating the under-painting of the fore, middle, and background of the cornfield
Continuing to work the transition between orange and light blue

Add lighter streaks into the darker sky for contrast

Finished under-painting

As the under-painting is complete, the next task will be to re-assess the scale of the scarecrow-Christ figure. He is too prominent in the plane and needs to be pushed further into the background. It needs to seem as if he is wadding through the corn, or is just barely suspended over the corn. Once the under-painting dries, back to work.

We are but scarecrows...

“We are but scarecrows, turning bandits away from the crops”



freshly gessoed canvas

the first mark

the hill

initial swarm layout

basic layout of the composition

with the scarecrow figure added

embolden lines to form foreground, middle, and back

more crows

And more later...