Have you ever been inspired by a piece of literature? I mean, inspired in such a way that you absolutely must create something to help yourself process what you've just read or heard. Well, that is what happened to me yesterday.
But first: the video!
He set his face like a flint...
I was inspired by the idea that the Son of Man demonstrated epic bravery when facing his upcoming murder. In ancient writings, one of the early seers declared this about the one that would rescue humankind...
But the Lord God helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like a flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame.
Isaiah 50:7
And later, those writing the biography of the Son of Man's life recounted the moment that Jesus was turning to head to the capital city one more time. In the newer texts, a doctor who accompanied the misfit followers wrote the following...
"When the days drew near
for Him to be taken up,
He set His face to go to Jerusalem.
Luke 9:51-56
In this piece of lettering and illustration, I explored the emotions of the moment, the point of view of the viewer, and a pen and ink technique based on some of Rembrandt's early works.
THE EMOTION
It is often difficult to fully comprehend the emotions and inner workings of another person. However, one of the wondrous aspects of creating artwork is the opportunity it presents to explore and express your own feelings and thoughts.
It is easy to imagine that Jesus was acutely aware of the perilous circumstances awaiting him in the city. Yet, he remained resolute in his determination to face them head-on. This depiction of his bravery and courage amidst adversity is a tribute to the strength of the human spirit.
Check out this bit of prose I generated with the help of some AI bots:
The sun beat down mercilessly, casting long shadows across the dusty road. With each step, Jesus felt the weight of his destiny grow heavier. His feet ached and his throat was parched with thirst, but still he walked on, his gaze fixed resolutely on the city ahead.
The journey had been long and treacherous, filled with hardships and trials. But none of it mattered to him. For he knew that his mission was greater than any hardship he might face. He was resolved to see it through to the end, no matter the cost.
As he walked, his thoughts turned to the countless souls who would benefit from his sacrifice. He thought of the sick and the suffering, the lost and the hopeless. He thought of those who would find salvation in his love, and it gave him the strength to carry on.
The road wound its way through rocky terrain and arid plains, stretching endlessly before him. The heat was oppressive, the sun beating down with a fierce intensity. But still, he walked on, his determination unbreakable.
With each passing day, the weight of his destiny grew heavier upon him. He felt the burden of the world upon his shoulders, the weight of all the sins of humanity that he had come to redeem. But he did not falter. He knew that his mission was too important to give up on. As he drew closer to the city, his heart grew heavy with the knowledge of what was to come. He knew that his journey would end in pain and suffering, in the agony of the cross that awaited him. But still, he walked on, his spirit unbroken.
And so, with a heavy heart and an unshakable resolve, Jesus walked towards Jerusalem. The weight of his sacrifice was a burden he would willingly bear for the sake of all those who would find salvation in his love, for he knew that his journey was not just his own but the journey of all humanity toward redemption and eternal life.
THE POINT OF VIEW (SCENE AND PERSPECTIVE)
In this particular piece, I made the deliberate choice to capture a 3/4 view of the subject, as I wanted to draw attention to the turbulent storm surrounding him rather than solely focusing on his facial features. As you watch the accompanying video, you may notice that I decided to darken the sky of the city in the distance, adding lightning as a way to symbolize the imminent danger that Jesus was walking towards.
THE ARTISTIC INTENTION
Rembrandt was known for his pen and ink technique which involved cross-hatching for shading and depth, ink washes for atmospheric effects, and experimentation with different pens and inks. His technique was versatile and expressive, allowing him to create intricate and detailed drawings with just a few strokes of the pen.
I opted for this particular art style because the subject matter required strong, bold lines and high contrast. With the help of the "Deep Cuts" brush set from Retro Supply Co., I was able to efficiently depict the scene (as shown in the video). I highly suggest utilizing brush sets like this to achieve the desired aesthetic, which can even be found for free online!
My love of #moderncalligraphy and the desire to make some never before seen #lettering like this is my chance to create some #goodtype with #procreate. This #handmadefont is #oneofakind and #handlettered on my #ipadpro because #typematters.
TOOLS
TOOLS || iPad pro 10.5 / #applepencil
ELAPSED TIME || 3:46:29
APPS || @procreate @splice_app @mid.journey / music “Visions - Instrumental Version” by Adv3n7ur35 on Splice
BRUSHES || @stefankunz @ianbernard @visualtimmy
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CONTACT || Visit https://linktr.ee/marvharrell for links to purchase a poster or canvas print of this artwork, view other designs, check out items from my #Etsy store, contact me for #commissions, or allow me to come up with something for your business or home!
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