Mini-movie My Transparent Journey Series

Turn up the volume and enjoy! 

The Process Part Three, "Walk In The Light" John 12:35-36

As I enter the finishing stages of the painting, I worked more on gently steering the colors in the direction I wanted them to go.  I diminished some of the less important detail.

There are some troubling aspects of the painting that I have not yet put my finger on.  As I approach the Sabbath, our weekly rest...I will leave it in His hands.  I am using very minimal reference material for this image.  I was given a rough sketch as an idea and the wonderful book from the author.  This place does not exist.  I know I want the scene bathed in light.  I have not achieved this objective...YET!  Part of the reason for this is the competing light areas of the painting which would be difficult to change at this point.  I am also expecting the colors to dull a lot when it dries completely.  The bank to the left is still standing out too much, but there may be a reason for this that I am unaware of at this time.  One of the challenges an artist faces is locating the problem within a painting and gaining insight into what action will solve it.  Making up for it by painting another area better or adding something is usually disastrous.  Here is the "now" stage.

Copyright 2014 Darlene Dine, unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited

  

The painting has reached a point where it needs to dry several days.  Oil paint dries very differently, so I will let it cure and see where I want to go with the final touches.  I have a few surprises in mind.  I also hope to write something about our spiritual journey to go along with the painting for this is also a process and YaHshua admonishes us to walk in the light, while we still have light.  He knew that His departure would leave darkness, but He tells us that it is only dark if we "choose" to ignore the light.  Part of walking in the light is believing in the light, this in turn makes us children of the light.    

If the painting is approved, this will be the cover of a new book written by a special friend.  At her discretion, I will add information about this at the end.

Stay tuned!  

I had a long break...spring cleaning...started a new job.....and enjoyed a wonderful visit from my sister and her husband.  Now I am ready to focus on finishing the painting.  The design needs to be refreshed in my mind, the most significant problems jotted down and the path of action for the adjustments solidified before I pick up a brush.  At this stage it is very easy to wreck what you have already done and want to keep!  I have the tendency to start again and just start painting.  I will have to restrain myself and allow only the changes and finishing accents happen.  Here goes!

Copyright 2014 Darlene Dine, unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited

"Walk in the Light"

The final painting!  I wanted a warm, inviting scene for the cover of this book.  I wanted the earthly tones to remain in the water for reasons of natural vs. spiritual.  We are striving to reflect an image, but not drawing truth directly from the tree.  I separated the stones from the water a bit, added a minimal indication of the bank reflection and brought that area back into the painting a little more.  I was going to make the water more murky, but decided the reflection is distorted enough to reveal the message.  The overall scene is a journey, just as the book describes a journey.  This is not a distant or unknown place, it is one we have been to before.  The stone bridge and olive tree are the solid parts (truth) that move us toward light and instill in us a desire to become wheat (the first fruits of the harvest).  I will post more information about the cover and may be designing the graphics also.  I will create a separate link with information about this amazing author and her gift with words and how to purchase the book as this information becomes available.  Our Messiah is glorified when we become all that He created us to be.  As you walk the path, I pray this will encourage you to keep trusting Him, the author and finisher of our faith.  

I hope this was a good depiction of the process although it was a complicated example to use.  I hope you gained insight and enjoyed it.  The painting will be for sale after a high resolution digital file has been made.  Thank you for following along, more transparent journey paintings to come (and a special pet portrait in the works)!