Christian Art and Sacred Places

Christian Art and Sacred Places

Introduction

The Christian Art we practice here at Alison Hazel Art is traditional and straightforward.

We want our Christian Art to be peaceful, meditative and reflective.

To draw Christian images and symbols adds a richness to life which we enjoy, and we want to share that with you.

We are not here to influence you, or to convert you, but rather to celebrate our beliefs with you. 

If that resonates with you, then you may enjoy some of our future plans for creating and developing some Christian art.

People

We aspire to have more drawings and images of religious people such as:

  • Jesus
  • Mary and Christ
  • Angels
  • Saints
  • Prophets
  • Icons

Stories

We will be drawing and illustrating chapters from the bible and particularly from the book of Genesis with stories like:

  • Adam and Eve
  • Cain and Abel
  • Noah’s Ark
  • The Nativity and Christmas
  • The Passion and Easter

Sacred Places Art

We also have an interest in sacred places.

Sacred places generally means churches, cathedrals and related buildings, but it also encompasses other places such as:

  • Labyrinths
  • Pyramids
  • Standing stones (like Stonehenge and Inukshuks)
  • Glades of trees

    Our Sacred Places Art So Far

    So far, we have drawn:

    Future Artworks

    We have plans to sketch:

    • Church footprints
    • Church architectural drawings and facades
    • Stained glass windows
    • Rose windows
    • Altars
    • Fonts
    • Steeples and towers

    Christian Symbolism

    We plan to explore Christian symbolism.

    This can be as:

    • Crosses
    • Bibles
    • Icons
    • Candles
    • Mosaics
    • Sculptures
    • Other ancient artworks

    There is a place for all art. 

    We believe that if you follow Jesus then if you draw and create your own Christian themed art it will benefit you.

    Sharing and Merchandise

    Some of our Christian art is already available on Christmas cards and you can see more designs in our Redbubble shop.

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    Sketchbook Flip Through

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    St Chad’s Church Poulton-le-Fylde, Ink and Watercolor

    St Chad’s Church Poulton-le-Fylde, Ink and Watercolor

    St Chad’s Church Poulton, Pen and Ink and Watercolour

    This is a pen and ink and watercolor painting that I created this week.

    The method that I used is similar to the Sketch Journal Page from last time, but without the commentary that goes with a journal entry.

    Buildings

    I do enjoy drawing buildings. I find them easier than people or animals which always seem to look a little weird.

    I joined my local Urban Sketchers group the year before lockdown and I found it very interesting to draw what was in my city.

    Back then I was using a pencil and Tombow markers because I had no paints or crayons for that matter. I didn’t know just how much I was going to love getting back into art after so many years.





    Sacred Places as Subject Matter

    Sacred places are typically buildings, groves, fields or monuments that have special meaning for people. They can be places where people congregate and find community.

    St Chad’s Church

    Many years ago, I lived in a small village near St Chad’s church in Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, England. I was christened in that church, so it seems a good sacred building to start with.

    I found some images of St Chad’s church online, and looking at the images for reference, I drew the front façade of the building and added a tree.

    I suspect that it is a Norman church by the square tower, but that is really as far as my knowledge goes.

    In a way it is an inconspicuous building as churches go.

    It seems to have been built between 1086 and 1094. You can read more about the history of this St Chad’s church here.

    Each spring there is a wonderful display of lilac and purple crocuses over the entrance lawns.

    Crocus

    Pencil Sketch

    Using an HB pencil, I began with a light sketch and combined all the features from a few photos that I looked at online. I can’t show those photos here as they are copywrite to someone else.

    I chose watercolor paper from Strathmore size 140mm x 216mm or 5 ½ x 8 ½ inches.

    Pencil sketch

    Pen and Ink

    With a 0.1mm black pen I drew the main lines of the building and the other features.

    After this I gently erased the pencil lines so they were no more. If you leave the pencil lines on the page you will see them through the watercolor paint and then you cannot get rid of them once they have been painted over.

    Pen and Ink

    Watercolor

    With a light mixture of Payne’s grey and brown I started to lightly wash the building walls. I tried to add a little more grey for each separate type of brick work just to add some interest.

    Here I used a number 6 watercolor brush and kept gently rolling it to mop up excess water each time.

    I repeated the color layers a few times to add depth to the color and to vary the shadows a little.

    Watercolor

    Once that part was dry, I went in with a finer brush (number 2) and with denser paint I laid down some brick marks and roof tiles just to give the effect of rough texture to the stonework.

    For the grass I mixed an olive green with a touch of burnt sienna.

    I always avoid the bright greens that are in my paint box. They are not natural and are glaring when used in a landscape painting. It is best practice to mix colors and never use them straight out of the little pans.

    Pencil Crayon

    With my pencil crayons in several tones of cool grey I gently added small definitions like the shadows below the eaves and the door recesses. This brings details to life and adds shadows to suggest depth.

    Colored pencil highlights

    Pen Again

    I went over the main structure lines once more with my fine 0.1mm pen and in some places I employed a 0.3mm black pen.

    Gold Trim

    I do love some gold trim in my artworks. In this drawing it was a challenge to know where to add a spot of gleam, but I found one or two spots that could do with some life.

    Shimmer of gold

    Overall

    I am really happy with this painting. Receiving a watercolor set from my son-in-law this past Christmas, I am a relative newcomer to watercolor painting.

    This piece is probably my fifth painting so far using this art medium.

    Complete

    There was some flow over of color especially around the tree, but I will get better at controlling the paint and handling my brushes with some practice.

    Let me know what you think.

    Alison




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