Thursday, February 18, 2010

Another David Project Update

As much as I wanted to put more time into this project, time was pretty limited last week and it doesn’t look any better for next week. However, that being said I decided to learn more about King David’s life during those times that I wasn’t painting. I thought it would make this painting more real to me.

I started reading about David in the Bible with the book of 1 Samuel. David makes his appearance in 1 Samuel 16, after God has rejected Saul as king over Israel and sends Samuel to Bethlehem to the home of a man named Jesse. The Lord told Samuel that He had chosen one of Jesse’s sons to be king over Israel. Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel and none of them “passed muster.” Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” Jesse replies that there was still the youngest, David, and he was out tending the sheep. David was sent for and all activity halted until his arrival on the scene. On David’s arrival it is said that…” he was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features.” In researching him even more on the Internet…I discovered that he is supposed to have had red hair and some paintings of him from way, way back show him with red hair, so I have given my David red hair.

The story of King David from the time of his anointing to the time of his death in 1 Kings 2 proved to be very, very interesting. He reigned as king for 40 years…33 of those years was as king over all of Israel. Although I’ve known of David and his exploits, i.e., Goliath, Bathsheba, etc., and read about him in the Bible before…reading about him this time, I seem to have learned much more in depth about the boy David then the man than I had ever known before. Did it help me with this painting? It most certainly did.


Sing Praise
24x20 oil on stretched canvas

I still have quite a bit before considering this piece finished. I’ve changed his mouth to make him be singing. Not sure whether I like the mountain directly behind him or not. The pasture area needs work and I’ve got to put his sandals on him. Also, still need to work some on his clothing. His legs sure gave me problems. Thank goodness, with my son’s help and posing I think I got it now.

This is where I am now. I’m hoping to work on him some today.

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6 comments:

  1. This is coming along beautifully Lokelani! David seems to be glowing! As for the mountain behind him, maybe a more muted color and less detail as if it were further behind him will let him stand out more.

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  2. Thank you Sheila. I like the idea of muting the color of the mid-range mountains. It has been bothering me and that seems to be the best way to handle it.

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  3. I don't want to offer advice--I think you are the best barometer for sensing what to do to make the painting match your vision. I'll tell you that the colors look very clean and that the whole piece seems positive and bright.

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  4. Celeste thanks for visiting. I'm glad you see positive and bright. For the scene, I was trying for positive and bright and to know someone sees it that way is very encouraging.

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  5. Lokelani, you have done an excellent job and I really like your David! I've been back a couple of times to see if you've put his sandals on him yet! I know how it is when life gets in the way of our art! Hope you can get back to David soon - The painting is almost ready to sign! Thanks for sharing your research! I didn't know (or remember) about the red hair! I never tire of David's story!

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  6. Rosemary...thank you for visiting and enjoying my post on David. I certainly loved his story and have continued reading about King Solomon. Good to be reminded. I will post my progress today.

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