Easter Week #ledartsupply #zebrapenus #schmincke

Easter week.

The week leading up to the remembrance

that is the most special one for every Christian.

Easter Sunday - the day we remember

not the death, but the

resurrection of a living Christ.

 Since I started making art a few years ago,

each Easter I make a special piece to celebrate.

While I am here, I'd like to walk you through

the making of this page.

This is my medium size Leda Sketchbook.

I love the book - it works so well with 

everything I throw at it!

(By the time my page was complete,

some areas had as much as 10+ layers

of wet media. The page held up great.

No buckling or dimpling, I did hold it in place

with a couple small clips till it was dry.)

I started with a base layer of Golden Fluid Acrylics.

 My hope was to create a page showing that the

tomb of Jesus Christ is empty.

Where better to start than in the scripture that

tells us about that time.

Luke 24:1-12, describes the women taking spices

to prepare the body of Jesus for His eternal resting place.

When they arrived, 

the stone was rolled away and the tomb was empty.

I printed the New International Version of that

scripture, hand tore the edges and attached

it to my page with Dina Wakley's clear gesso.

A layer underneath and a layer across the top

both adhered the piece and sealed the edges.

I used standard (cheap) computer paper which is

why it looks translucent. I knew when I painted

over it that would all be covered up

and the words of the Bible would remain.

No problemo.

 I lightly sketched the main elements in pencil, 

then used my Schmincke Watercolors

to start placing the color blocks.

My thought was to make it look like as if

you are peering through the empty tomb

to the crosses beyond where the 

crucifixion happened.

When the page was completely dry, I used a 

paper towel to lightly buff the entire page.

This is important to remove any dust or

loose color particles so they won't clog up

your pens.

 My technical drawing pens from Zebra Pen

worked perfectly over these colors. 

I outlined the various areas, and started

tangling that tree.

If you are a tangle artist, you will recognize 

that tree to be the tangle pattern Finery.

 I continued with those same technical pens

and a white UniBall Signo Gel Pen and did the

remainder of the pen work. 

I darkened the edges to the tomb opening

to make it stand out a bit more.

I felt like the rocks were too dark so . . . 

 . . . I used an opaque white watercolor and

brushed some over the top of the rocks to

lighten them a bit.

A pencil and a tortillon brought a little shade

to the words in the scripture I wanted to

emphasize. 

And a parting thought to . . .

Rejoice in His mercy.

Were it not for that mercy we would not

have a hope for tomorrow. 

I hope you are encouraged as we go

into Easter Week, to remember the real reason 

for Easter is not the bunny and the candy -

although those things are fun and tasty -

but to remember the risen Savior! 

Have a great week!

Supplies used: Leda Medium Sketchbook, Schmincke Watercolor Pans,
Dina Wakley Clear Gesso, Zebra Zensations Technical Drawing Pens,
UniBall Signo Gel Pen.